I'm a pest expert, how to banish slugs from your home this winter in 5 simple steps – and you won't need any chemicals

11/17/2024 07:10 AM

AS THE weather cools down and we get into the rainy months of the year, we also have another thing to deal with, slugs. 

Unfortunately for people living in the UK, Britain has been crowned the 'Slug Capital of the World', with each cubic metre of soil containing an average of around 200 slugs. 

And while slugs lay eggs all year round, they're most prolific in early spring and autumn. 

To keep those pesky gastropods away from your home, the household experts at Online Carpets have pulled together their top 5 natural methods for keeping slugs out.

Don’t give them access

First and foremost, you'll want to address how the slugs are actually getting into your home.

There's no point using slug-deterring solutions if they've still got an easy way to come back in.

Slugs don't have any bones and, as such, can fit through tiny spaces, so keep an eye on any cracks or gaps in your windows and door frames that may need resealing. Take a look around the entry points of your home, starting with the doors and then the ground-floor windows, and use an appropriate sealant to sort out any gaps. 

Slugs are pretty persistent at going where they want, so they'll quickly slide to a new spot to get in if you haven't sealed them all. 

Root out any damp

If you're finding slugs in the house, the first thing you need to do is find out what's attracting them, and how they're getting in. 

Slugs love moisture, so they'll be heading to any damp, dark spots, leaky pipes, or condensation build-up – so be sure to sort out any of these areas. 

Those in older homes may be more likely to suffer from invading slugs due to their original wall construction, so investing in items such as damp traps or dehumidifiers can be a great way to rid your home of excessive moisture.

They're also keen smellers, so be sure to clear out any leftover food, or pet food that you may have left out.  

Copper tape to the rescue

Copper is another good remedy for keeping slugs at bay. 

Where humans and other mammals use Haemoglobin (which is iron-based) to transport oxygen around our bodies, slugs use Hemocyanin proteins. These proteins contain two copper atoms, which makes them sensitive to copper. If slugs stay near copper for too long, it can prevent oxygen from moving around their bodies. 

Because of this, they'll avoid crossing copper, making it an excellent addition to any entryways or window seals where slugs often enter our homes. 

However, it's important to note that copper tape will need to be cleaned regularly with vinegar to avoid tarnishing to ensure it remains effective against slugs.

Make a natural spray

Slugs hate strong-smelling plants, and one of the most popular plant scents that is slug-resistant is lavender. Lavender has very low toxicity to humans, making it an ideal choice when it comes to repelling slugs from your home. 

Lavender has very low toxicity to humans, making it an ideal choice when it comes to repelling slugs from your home. Other popular choices include rosemary. 

You can try strategically placing lavender at your home’s entry points, which will create a whiffy barrier against slugs, or you could mix up some lavender oil into a spray bottle and spray on the surfaces inside and outside your home. 

Crack out the coffee grounds

We're a nation of coffee lovers. In fact, it's estimated that 80% of UK households buy coffee to keep in their homes – so we're certainly not in short supply. 

And while a cup of coffee in the morning is needed for many of us to get through the day, slugs hate it. 

All you'll need to do is sprinkle some coffee grounds at your home's entryways, acting as a barrier. However, it's important to note that you'll need to use ground coffee beans – not instant coffee granules. The higher the caffeine content, the better. 

If you don't buy coffee beans for your at-home coffees, some coffee shops will give you grounds from their machines free of charge if you ask.