how to stop your tomato plants being eaten by slugs and snails

Our 3 step process to slugfreedom for your tomato plants

In this blog post, we’ll explore how to stop slugs and snails from destroying your tomatoes before you get to enjoy eating them, using our simple 3-step process for effective slug and snail control. First, we’ll discuss controlling the environment around your tomato plants to create a more hostile environment for slugs and reduce their numbers near your plants. Then, we’ll cover the importance of using an appropriate barrier, which will vary depending on how and where you’re growing your tomatoes. Finally, we’ll share methods for killing or removing any slugs and snails using non-toxic pest control solutions that won’t harm your pets. With these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to a slug-free tomato harvest!

And if you’d like to know more about why i am so sure about which barriers work best, you can watch some of my experiments: https://www.youtube.com/@stopslugs

And we also sell some of the products mentioned in our slugshop 🙂

tomato plants slugs snails — The best barrier to protect your tomato plants from slugs largely depends on how you plan to grow them. For instance, growing tomatoes in containers or indoors, such as in a greenhouse, makes it much easier to implement effective protection compared to planting them directly in the ground.

If you’ve already tried these methods or have a smaller space where they aren’t feasible, and you’re still dealing with slugs eating your plants, the next logical step is to use the most appropriate barrier to stop them from reaching your tomato plants in the first place, by using a slug barrier. And below is what we’d reccomend based on a whole lot of research.

Step 2 use the most effective slug and snail barrier

and consider using multiple together.

Using barriers is one of the most popular methods for controlling slugs and snails, and people often have strong opinions on the best options. The reality is that some barriers are ineffective (egg shells, Garlic), while others, like copper and wool pellets, may only have a mild to moderate effect. It’s important to choose the most effective barrier possible, and in some cases, you may need to combine two methods for optimal results.

Barriers for plants planted directly in the ground

The most effective barrier for plants that are not in containers is an overhanging barrier at a 45° angle. These come in many forms, including a slug fence (which functions like a raised bed and can protect multiple plants, as shown below) and a slug collar (which surrounds individual plants). For added effectiveness, these barriers can even be used together.

Through extensive experiments—one of which is shown below—it became evident that a slug collar is superior to wool pellets, coffee grounds, and copper.

slug collar, slug fence, slug barriers, organic — 1. Example of a slug fence.
2. Example of a slug collar from an experiment I conducted comparing it to other rumored slug barriers (e.g., eggshells, which showed no effect).
3. Early experiment testing whether eggshells, wool pellets, coffee, copper, and slug collars were more effective than a slugstand (water barrier).
4. A slug attempting to get past the overhanging slug collar.

For best results, use a slug collar or fence—or even better, combine them. You can also add coffee, copper, or wool for extra protection. However, keep in mind that the effectiveness of coffee and wool may diminish over time, and coffee can increase soil acidity.

Barriers for plants in containers that have little shelter from wind and rain

The most effective barrier for tomatoes in containers (such as grow bags, pots, buckets, or planters) is a water, salt, or saltwater barrier of at least 5 cm. A slugstand, for example, uses a protective moat filled with salt or saltwater to prevent slugs and snails from climbing into your containers. This highly effective barrier protects vulnerable plants and essentially makes your plant pots slug-proof.

slugstand protect tomato plants from slugs — three different examples of how a slugstand can protect plants with a salt ring, or salt water ring.

Anti-Slug Barriers for Tomato Plants in Sheltered Containers

The best solutions remain water, salt, or saltwater barriers. However, in sheltered environments like greenhouses or balconies, you can also consider using thick-grain salt, such as slugsalt, directly on the ground. Spread it around the base of containers or across the area to deter slugs effectively.

This approach works particularly well in spaces where there’s no risk of salt leaching into unwanted areas, as it can harm nearby plants growing in the ground. Be cautious and use it only where surrounding vegetation won’t be affected.

slug salt, salt as a slug barrier — Here you can see salt protecting a plant pot. While not the ideal location (as heavy rain can wash the salt away), it’s effective that thick-grain salt is being used. Thick-grain salt creates a more durable barrier, but to maintain its effectiveness, it’s important to place it in areas where rain or watering won’t easily wash it away and the thicker the barrier, the better.

step 3 – remove slugs or kill slugs

I’d recommend focusing on Step 1 and Step 2 first. Inevitably, when you kill or remove slugs and snails, you may end up eliminating some that weren’t a threat to your plants or were simply going to become food for other wildlife, which now might struggle to survive. By effectively carrying out Step 1 and Step 2, you’ll save both time and money in the long run, as getting it right the first time prevents further issues.

pick slugs and snails manually

Manually picking slugs and snails, removing or killing them, or feeding them to birds is an effective way to manage high numbers of slugs. It’s also a good opportunity to check that your barriers are still intact and preventing any breaches. It’s obviously best to do this when slugs and snails are most active, so consider going out at night armed with a head torch, a bucket, and some slug tongs.

slug tongs, slug removal, slug grabber — removing a slug manually with slug tongs.

One way to make it easy to remove a bunch of slugs is by placing a piece of wood in a shady spot, creating an ideal hiding place for them during the day. Simply lay the wood flat on the ground, and over time, slugs will gather underneath, using it as shelter from the heat and sun. Check the wood regularly, and you’ll find slugs “sleeping” beneath it, making it easy to remove them before they cause damage to your plants.

Use slug pellets

Slug pellets are a common method for controlling slugs and snails. To use them, simply scatter the pellets around plants or along the perimeter of your garden, following the instructions on the package. The pellets attract slugs, which then ingest them and are killed.

The main advantage of slug pellets is that they are effective in quickly reducing slug populations, offering convenient and easy application. They also provide long-lasting protection, especially if applied properly. However, there are some downsides. Slug pellets can be harmful to pets, wildlife, and beneficial insects if not used carefully. They may also need to be reapplied after rain, and some pellets contain chemicals that can negatively impact the environment. To mitigate these risks, consider using eco-friendly options like those containing iron phosphate, which are less harmful to non-target creatures.

Use Baited traps

Beer is the most common bait used in slug traps, and there are many different types available. It’s best to choose a trap that lasts longer, is plastic-free, and offers a humane option. Some traps feature a one-way valve, where a small amount of beer is used to draw the slugs in, but they don’t drown. This type of trap helps control slugs without harming them, making it a more eco-friendly choice.

So quite a lot of information, but hopefully that’s been laid out clearly, don’t forgot to take a look at our shop for the best quality products to keep your tomato plants slug and snail free!

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