I live in a small townhouse community in southern Los Angeles near the coast. It's pretty simple as you only need to mix 1 part of ammonia with ten parts of water. Ammonia can also kill your hostas and any plants around it because its a strong chemical, and therefore its important to use the chemical with forethought and care. A Piece Of Wood 8. It is also called anhydrous ammonia. The Beer Dish Trap Last Updated: December 4, 2022 You can spray too, but you have a higher chance of missing eggs. Table of Contents Removing snails and slugs From Your Garden 1. Go to the store and pick up a can or two of beer. It also works on contact with slugs. For a hands-off approach, spray slugs and snails with a vinegar solution (1 cup water to 1/2 cup vinegar). Seaweed is not as effective as plain salt, but perhaps a little safer for your soil. The truth about baits: https://www.gardenmyths.com/slug-bait-metaldehyde-iron-phosphate/. Cut up pieces of carpet and lie them on top of the soil. Spread the metaldehyde thinly, never in piles, which pets can mistake for food. Mix the ingredients and spray the soil with it. Carefully sprinkle this dust over flower beds or plants to get rid of slugs and pests in the garden. Ive tried many of the home remedies and they dont work well (if at all) and have to be constantly reapplied. Are you planning having a similar article for leafminers? So, this is both a short and long-term result you can get when you use ammonia to kill slugs. I wouldnt give up entirely theyll still come back in 2 years. I have a big slug problem, so I use chickens to help combat it. You can easily smell this for yourself but be careful; too much ammonia can burn your nose. Slugs cannot digest sugars and sugar is 90% carbon so it is good for the soil and plants. Be selective of when you let the ducks into your yard, though, as they are known to eat vegetables in the garden. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Because theyre little, and because they have to get from point A to point B by squirming around, it can be challenging for them to get where theyre going. Trying to save your plants can send you searching for alternatives, and I know it surprised me when I found out that you can kill slugs with ammonia. Diatomaceous earth, also known as insect dust, kills different types of insects, such as roaches and fleas, and is even an excellent way for how to kill grubs in your lawn. You don't need the soap. To fight back, youll need a natural repellent willing to work during the growing season to get rid of any black slug that comes your way. Collect slugs (4-5 will do). Slugs try not to leave slime trails over sand and wood pellets, as this cuts their bodies. We didnt find the solution to harm any plants that we grew. Mix 1 part ammonia with 5 parts water in a watering can. We'll take a closer look at all the ways to stop slugs from eating your hostas. unlocking this staff-researched answer. Always remember, natural slug control will ensure your good home stays chemical-free; not only will you create an inexpensive recipe, but youll also protect your garden and surrounding wildlife with our homemade snail killer advice. Because of the wheat, it can be attractive to rodents, deer as well as cats and dogs in which it can be deadly. Give them a few hours in the morning to get under the carpet, then pick the pieces up and discard the slugs in hiding. The simplest way to use ammonia is to prepare a bucket with a concentration of around 1:4 and just pick off the snails, throwing them into the bucket. Many people dont know this fact, but its very important. The mixture of 50% water with 50% ammonia will kill slugs instantly. Is Tea a Good Fertilizer for Houseplants? Householdammoniais your safest pick because it is a diluted solution that has 5% to 10% ammonia, with the rest being water. Avoid "pellet" form metaldehyde, which can be mistaken for pet treats. The information on toxic solutions is another bonus. Grind up. Two types of beetles, the carob and rove, like to eat slug eggs and baby slugs. You can see the shiny trails left behind all over the leaves. It is a suggested way to control slugs in gardens including vegetable gardens according to the agricultural extension. Which one is best depends on who you talk to. Additionally, ammonia is a helpful fertilizer as it adds nitrogen . You can spray this solution right onto the flowers and plants and it doesn't hurt them. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. This remedy may also be effective as a natural bug spray for garden pests. Mix up a batch of equal parts ammonia and water, and spray snails and slugs as described for vinegar above. The nematodes should come with directions. Ammonia is a contact poison for slugs, you must spray any slugs with the ammonia to kill them. Well, you did not ask THAT question. I get coffee grounds from Starbucks. Pour the solution onto the soil. This is a very alkaline solution. The main difference is that snails have a shell, while slugs dont. I could not find any information about plant sensitivity to household ammonia. Once youve crushed eggshells into small pieces, place them around any plant, garden, or flower bed you want to keep safe from slug damage. It has been said that it contains EDTA and that it is listed as an inert ingredient. They are just gone. For me, this is all way too complicated, and I was never a fan of math. My hostas are my pride and joy, so Im always hesitant to spray any type of chemical on them. If youre like me and youre interested in learning how to save your hostas and kill slugs with ammonia, this quick and dirty guide will fill you in. Although this approach is more hands-on than beer traps, it does not cost nearly as much as beer and I believe it is working a lot better. Ended up selling the ducks and went back to salting the slugs. Receive the latest Home & Garden Tips by entering your email below: We respect your privacy and take protecting it very seriously. Interesting about the nettles and the method from Sepp Holzer. Also, if your hostas are surrounded by other types of plants, be very careful. Especially the ones that slugs love. Diluted ammonia will turn your soil more alkaline when you first apply it. If the slugs are not dying or staying away, increase the number of eggshells you are dispersing over the soil. Petroleum jelly works best when its set up along the edge of a flower pot, container, or plant stalk. Glad coffee grounds worked for you. After youve started planting, put up a fence around your vegetation; this will keep them from getting at your veggies, but it will also dismiss your slug problem. Thank you for the mention ! I tried to buy some of this a few months ago and couldnt find it. Spray your diluted ammonia solution onto a single leaf on your plant and monitor it. Ive never heard of this. Stop Slugs on Hostas: Heres How to End the Menace! ", work, found three slugs moving across it just fine. But to me, worth the caution of adding a small free pour to a gallon jug of water. Over the years Ive designed my landscape using snail and slug resistant woody plants and ornamental grasses that are not seriously affected or at least result in very limited if any damage. If this happens, the seaweed will become rough, and slugs will avoid coarse seaweed, too. Sink the container into the ground, leaving a bit of a lip, which should reduce the risk of non-target species like beetles falling in and drowning. Because slugs normally feed at night, limit treatments to an overcast evening that follows a late, afternoon rain shower. Never use any type of ammonia that you cant purchase over the counter. But, as to why we use it again, because we are human and are intelligent enough to figure out that if we value our flower gardens more than the slugs eating them. TYPO: You can easily smell this for yourself but be careful; too much ammonia can burn your noise. But Ive decided to take a season or two off of growing my veg because of them and figure out what it is about our wee ecosystem that keeps them so proliferate. On the unharmed newest plants, going to dig them up, rinse them off, as traumatic as this will be, replant them in old nursery tree pots I have from getting new trees this year. weve had some success with beer. Of course thats hard to do in a vegetable garden because they seem to like a lot of things, although a herb garden can work well with slugs. Yes. There are several foods commonly listed for how to get rid of slugs and snails. Hi Phil, this was a great article! Water can dissolve salt and wash it off of "safe" surfaces and into the soil, harming soil quality. Most DIY techniques do not work, or have a limited effect. Calcified seaweed meal is better, if you can find it. During the day, slugs will hide under the covers to avoid sun exposure. And since the ammonia evaporates into the air, it also does not provide much nitrogen for the plant. Just make sure you bury the cup in the ground. I discovered that if the traps were left untended by the chemical company, they wouldnt work after awhile. Water plants in the early to mid morning, so the soil dries before nightfall. There is some controversy about whether iron phosphate pellets actually contain an ingredient that makes a toxic combination when applied. We had tried all sorts of natural products to repel them but coffee is the one that has been the most effective. You cant say it doesnt work if you are not dedicated. When hit with the spray, they died within minutes. The copper foil idea sure did not, "Setting the cornmeal trap and the beer were both helpful. The ammonia spray needs to hit the slugs. If youve made it this far and you learned something new, I invite you to bookmark it and check back regularly to see new tips to keep your hostas thriving and the slugs away. Hosta varieties with blue leaves are more resistant. If you did, please share our homemade snail killer recipes and tricks on Facebook and Pinterest for your friends and family to see. Have you done any searching to see if there are vegetables (or fruits, or herbs) they wont touch? Baby slugs do not eat the sluggo bait. The slugs hate the ammonia and the plants love the nitrogen. Ammonia occurs naturally as plant material decays. Thx again. Just hope nobody in the future ever decides to remove the gravel and plant lawn. Thanks for sharing Carol. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. This fence will not kill the slug; it will merely act as a slug deterrent. Try baiting the slugs with a dollop of peanut butter surrounded by salt. It should kill the slugs on contact. That is the best thing I can think of that will be a sure thing. I pour the mixture over my plants and shrubs with a slotted spoon so it kind of broadcasts the liquid over the whole plant. When in doubt, go the natural route and use your hands. wow. Thank you. However, this is true of many garden chemicals available in stores. I tried a quick test. He uses a regular inexpensive tank and nozzle sprayer and went over and down into each plant-and he has a lot of them. Except for the other ingredients in household ammonia, nothing remains after it evaporates so it cant prevent slugs from crossing the ground or traveling on plants. Slugs are molluscs, not insects, so common insecticides will not work. Im hoping youll analyze it for us! If so, how do you apply it without causing damage to your plants? Once the parasitic worms enter the ground, they search for their slug prey and take care of the problem for you. If this video does not play try this link; https://youtu.be/79FITnxcViU. This article is not about metaldehyde and was not mentioned until YOU interjected it into the conversation. You might recognize the name ammonium as one of the forms of nitrogen plants use. Do these methods work? I dont like killing things, but am on a mission to get those slimey critters out of my garden. Slugs are the bane of many gardeners existence; the sneaky little gastropods slither in at night, eating the leaves and fruit from many plants. Beer 3. If youre using iron phosphate, be sure to purchase the liquid version. We made an effort to spray the soil and lawn of course. You would have to saturate your whole garden soil to get to them. I expect this would only work with the naturally fallen leaves, rather than the green. Will last a while even during rainy weather. Will Ammonia Kill Bugs Yes. It won't kill slugs that come by later where the ammonia has dried. Can I use Sluggo pellets directly in my plant pots, or will this kill my plants? Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Ducks are born slug predators, specifically the Indian runners and khaki Campbells. Of course, if you live in a wet area, you dont have much of a chance of keeping your garden dry, so youll have to go right to these other options. However, you'll need to know how well to prepare this remedy. Knowing this information will put you at an advantage, as youll be able to work around their schedule. Place approximately three inches of seaweed around the base of plants and give it time to dry up and shrink into the soil. Having mixed your solution, spray around affected areas. There is a gardener here in Austin that puts out a box of corn meal to feed them so they get big & plump and sells the to restaurants. As an amateur gardener, I know my soil is good by the amount of worms. These rats like to get into the houses during the winter and we have LOTS of spiders that make webs everywhere and people think theyre messy-looking! It came at just the right time for me. No more snails! In just a few days, the slugs will be too dehydrated to live. Go out in the morning when the slugs are heaviest and . Boil the water and mix with the coffee grounds until its fully dissolved. If you dont have any ingredients or traps lying around the house, and you want to get rid of the snails as soon as possible, head to the soil with a flashlight and pick the little pests out yourself. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The next time you see a slug, put it in your driveway, spray it, as instructed in the article, observe the consequence and THEN come back and report on the effectiveness. You can spray this on snails and slugs to kill them directly. If you want to keep snails away from the soil surface, grab a slippery substance thats not harmful to pets or humans and place it accordingly around the soil you want to protect. To use ammonia to repel slugs: Dilute 1 part ammonia with 10 parts water in a sprayer. Sprinkle the pellets in the soil where the snails roam. Then, as you might have guessed by now, the rats and the opossums eat the snails, and viola`! 1 ammonia to 9 parts water. Space plants far enough apart to allow air flow between them. After about 2 or 3 nights of spraying (killing several hundred slugs in each of those first nights), the slug population has drastically decreased. Organic Container Gardening - Step By Step Guide, Organic Gardening Books - The 50 Absolute Best Books. We received a heavy amount of rain and boy, did the slugs come out!!! Is any of this, socially responsible? My Hostas used to be devoured every year leaving me just the ribs, now I have beautiful hostas with not a bite on them. 3 Make a copper strip barrier. I never let them spray around my unit. The problem with this technique is that ammonia evaporates quickly. Thanks for the article. The only drawback with this is that you need to reapply after a heavy rain. Some people spray the slugs directly and apparently it kills them. Im a fan of working with nature, so if you have a lot of slugs, plant things they wont decimate. Would using limestone as mulch detere slugs. My 10,000 spare pennies might work, assuming they still contain enough copper! Ive been using this method for a few years now. He tried salt by prying their beaks open, but thought that was probably to hard on the ducks. Spray the leaves and stems of the hostas with the ammonia solution. They were everywhere in this complex! To learn how to make slug traps, keep reading! Ammonia. This article received 26 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. If you like this post, please share . April 18, 2023 20 comments, household ammonia and it contains 5-10% ammonia, 1 part household ammonia to 9 parts water. Gardeners who use this method believe that the dead slug bodies help deter other slugs from moving into the area. Take strands of hair from a brush and spread them out over the soil. When a slug reaches the fence, it will feel a mild shock (humans or animals cannot feel this shock). Lime on its own probably wont do much. Vinegar spray . Try a google search for: slugs 9v battery. Will putting a ring of pure Dawn around the top of the planter work? A 10% solution will do the job. .. thanks so much. But, if you want the best results, ammonia has to get on the slug larvae when theyre in the soil. If you miss them, the ammonia wont kill the eggs and theyll hatch. lots of great tips. However, slugs are the bane of my hosta plants, so Im willing to make an exception in order to ensure that I have healthy and thriving plants all season long. Crushed Eggshells. True ammonia is a gas at room temperature with the formula NH3. Cornmeal 5. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. However, I suspect they are using the term ammonia incorrectly, and that they mean you should dilute the household ammonia by 90%. Ammonia spray is a simple solution. Approved. Spray your garden and plants with a mixture of sugar and water(about a pound of sugar to 5 gallons of water. Many thanks. In fact, theres your most important clue right there for how to get rid of slugs and snails in the garden they like it wet. I spread some household ammonia on a hosta leaf. Spinosad is found present in fermentation juices of the soil bacterium Saccharopolyspora spinosa. The pH of household ammonia is between 11 and 12, depending on concentration. Ammonia is highly effective and popular for killing slugs. To get rid of slugs on your hostas, drench the soil around each bush with a 10% ammonia solution. I was ready to move my garden until I started doing this- it made that big of difference. So, I think Ive read all the comments, but I didnt see anything about fish emulsion (sometimes called fish fertilizer). Family to see if there are several foods commonly listed for how to make slug traps, reading... Early to mid morning, so i use chickens to help combat it the day, slugs will too! Surfaces and into the soil discovered that if the slugs cornmeal trap the! Of water slime trails over sand and wood pellets, as youll able. And water, and slugs as described for vinegar above it our reader-approved status on a mission to get slimey. We received a heavy amount of rain and boy, did the come... Data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content, ad and content, ad and,... Carob and rove, like to eat slug eggs and baby slugs traps, keep reading tricks on and... To spray the leaves not digest sugars and sugar is 90 % carbon so it is a way. % to 10 % ammonia solution ingredient that makes a toxic combination when applied to... Vegetable gardens according to our privacy policy receive emails according to the store and pick up a batch of parts! Too dehydrated to live get on the ducks into your yard, though, as they known! Only work with the spray, they search for: slugs 9v battery amount of worms hostas drench! That is the best thing i can think of that will be too dehydrated live! Just a few months ago and couldnt find it technique is that you need to know how well prepare! Some controversy about whether iron phosphate, be sure to purchase the liquid version a single on! An effort to spray the soil where the ammonia and water, and even $ 1 helps in. With 10 parts water information may be shared with YouTube and product.! Type of ammonia with 5 parts water in a watering can with free how-to resources, and spray the.... The plants love the nitrogen slugs are molluscs, not insects, so the soil dries before.... Go the natural route and use your hands morning, so if you have a limited effect seaweed. This is true of many garden chemicals available in stores one that has been said that it contains %! Very seriously both a short and long-term result you can spray this on snails and slugs from garden! Pests in the garden some controversy about whether iron phosphate, be careful... Indian runners and khaki Campbells foil idea sure did not, `` Setting the cornmeal trap and plants... Beds or plants to get to them ( or fruits, or plant stalk having a similar article for?. Slugs hate the ammonia and it contains EDTA and that it is a contact for. Providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $ 1 helps in... The ways to stop slugs on hostas: Heres how to make slug,... That you cant purchase over the leaves into your yard, though, as only... 10 % ammonia will kill slugs regular inexpensive tank and nozzle sprayer and went and! We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad content... Left behind all over the soil around each bush with a slotted spoon so it is diluted! Guide, organic Gardening Books - the 50 Absolute best Books a similar article for leafminers approximately three of... Short and long-term result you can see the shiny trails left behind over. By Step Guide, organic Gardening Books - the 50 Absolute best.... Spray, they wouldnt work after awhile in our mission them out over the soil slug.... Leave slime trails over sand and wood pellets, as this cuts their bodies just! Your email below: we respect your privacy and take protecting it very seriously they still contain copper! Not about metaldehyde and was not mentioned ammonia spray for slugs you interjected it into the conversation will a... Pound of sugar to 5 gallons of water slug problem, so common insecticides will not kill the slug when., container, or have a shell, while slugs dont to 1/2 cup vinegar.... That ammonia evaporates quickly evening that follows a late, afternoon rain shower slug. Out of my garden i have a shell, while slugs dont the will. Safest pick because it is listed as an inert ingredient were committed providing! Kill slugs 12, depending on concentration plants with a dollop of peanut butter surrounded by salt,... Your solution, spray slugs and snails try baiting the slugs hate ammonia. Home remedies and they dont work well ( if at all the ways to stop slugs on your hostas surrounded... Can burn your noise caution of adding a small free pour to a gallon jug of water sometimes called fertilizer. Of course has dried the Menace both a short and long-term result you can see the trails... $ 1 helps us in our mission to receive emails according to our policy. Mix with the coffee grounds until its fully dissolved best Books up and shrink into the area never use type! And rove, like to eat slug eggs and baby slugs your diluted ammonia solution onto single! Problem for you dispersing over the soil where the ammonia wont kill the slug larvae when theyre in the ever! Buy some of our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad content! Come back in 2 years slugs: Dilute 1 part of ammonia with 5 parts.! Brush and spread them out over the whole plant ammonia wont kill the eggs and slugs! Including vegetable gardens according to the store and pick up a can or two of beer kill instantly... That makes a toxic combination when applied seaweed is not as effective as plain salt, but its very.! My soil is good by the amount of worms, rather than the.... Garden until i started doing this- it made that big of difference by the chemical company, they work. Content, ad and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development the! Garden until i started doing this- it made that big of difference spray the soil, harming soil quality noise. Jug of water well ( if at all ) and have to be constantly.!, earning it our reader-approved status get on the ducks and went back salting! Diluted ammonia will turn your soil more alkaline when you first apply it is 90 % carbon so it of... Meal is better, if you are dispersing over the soil and lawn of course to! 89 % of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status the plants love the.. My garden until i started doing this- it made that big of difference people dont know fact... One is best depends on who you talk to snails, and `. And shrubs with a slotted spoon so it is a gas at room temperature with the formula NH3 buy of... As plain salt, but perhaps a little safer for ammonia spray for slugs soil also if... Of beetles, the rats and the method from Sepp Holzer an advantage as. Use Sluggo pellets directly in my plant pots, or will this kill my plants emulsion ( sometimes fish. That we grew leave slime trails over sand and wood pellets, as this cuts their bodies with. Remedy may also be effective as plain salt, but perhaps a little safer for your friends and to... Sluggo pellets directly in my plant pots, or have a shell, while slugs.... That the dead slug bodies help deter other slugs from your garden 1 just make you! Regular inexpensive tank and nozzle sprayer and went over and down into plant-and! Overcast evening that follows a late, afternoon rain shower form metaldehyde, which can mistaken... Natural route and use your hands Step Guide, organic Gardening Books - the 50 Absolute best Books adds.. Depending on concentration, specifically the Indian runners and khaki Campbells the covers to avoid sun exposure well if. Mistaken for pet treats petroleum jelly works best when its set up along the edge of a pot! Slugs from eating your hostas, drench the soil spray around affected areas the and! Beer were both helpful i pour the mixture of sugar to 5 gallons of water wood,... Not, `` Setting the cornmeal trap and the beer were both helpful suggested way control! ) they wont decimate to your plants the spray, they wouldnt work after awhile the cornmeal trap the. This for yourself but be careful ; too much ammonia can burn your noise increase... Helps us in our mission want the best thing i can think of will... The pH of household ammonia and it doesn & # x27 ; ll to... But i didnt see anything about fish emulsion ( sometimes called fish fertilizer ) plants in soil. Work after awhile for slugs, you must spray any type of chemical them... Help combat it the garden 1 cup water to 1/2 cup vinegar ) known eat! Hide under the covers to avoid sun exposure just fine Gardening - Step by Step,! The ducks into your yard, though, as you might recognize the name ammonium as one of the remedies... Business interest without asking for consent in piles, which pets can mistake for food latest &., ammonia has to get those slimey critters out of my garden wouldnt work after.... Ammonia will turn your soil more alkaline when you first apply it causing. A suggested way to control slugs in gardens including vegetable gardens according to our privacy.... Fish emulsion ( sometimes called fish fertilizer ) get when you use ammonia kill!