If you’re dealing with slugs and snails in your garden, home, or greenhouse, using salt can be a cheap and effective method to get rid of them. Not only is it an affordable solution, but it also has a minimal environmental impact when used correctly compared to other lethal methods, however we would advise killing slugs shouldn’t be your first port of call and to try and utilise non lethal methods first and more about that can be found here:
First it’s important to know what effects salt can have on plants and slugs/snails:
Plants:
Salt can have detrimental effects on plants if applied in excessive amounts or directly onto plant tissues. Salt absorbs water, and high concentrations of salt in the soil can draw water away from plant roots, causing dehydration and ultimately leading to wilting and death. Some people even use salt to stop weeds growing on paving / paths.
Additionally, salt can alter soil structure and nutrient availability, making it difficult for plants to uptake essential nutrients. So we don’t reccomend using it outdoors or anywhere rain will get to it as it’ll wash away / into the soil and have negative consequences and little benefit.
Slugs and Snails:
Salt is often used as a method of controlling slugs and snails due to its dehydrating effect. When salt comes into contact with a slug or snail, it draws water out of their bodies through osmosis, ultimately causing them to desiccate and die.
However, it’s worth noting that using salt to kill slugs and snails can be considered inhumane by some, as it causes them to suffer a slow and painful death so controlling slugs and snails with other methods should be attempted first and we have guidlines to a blog on non lethal methods available through this link here:
Additionally, salt can harm other organisms in the soil and disrupt the balance of the ecosystem.
How to apply salt to stop slugs and snails
We would only reccomend applying salt outdoors if it’s sheltered from the rain or won’t leach into other plants and cause damage there, say on a patio and not on a lawn around the base of some platers and pots.
It’s main use for gardeners should be in a greenhouse either as a line of salt around table legs or the edges of the greenhouse, or even as a solution on the sides of pots and the lower aspect of the greenhouses’ walls.
you can easily make a DIY salt solution by mixing as much salt as possible into warm water and stirring, then letting it cool and puttin it into an old spray bottle.
While salt can be an effective method to manage slugs and snails, it may require repeated applications. Monitor your garden or affected areas regularly and reapply salt as needed. Remember not to overuse salt, as it can harm beneficial insects and plants if used excessively.
Using salt to manage slugs and snails can be an affordable and environmentally friendly solution. However, it’s important to use it responsibly and avoid excessive amounts that could harm your plants or the environment. By following these tips, you can effectively control slugs and snails and protect your garden, home, or greenhouse.
And please find our general guidance in an infographic below:
