In the UK, there are around 15,000 slugs in an average-sized garden so it’s hardly surprising the pests end up feasting on your favourite plants.
The unpleasant critters are known for leaving unsightly slime trails around gardens and for leaving gaping holes in some of your most treasured foliage.
But rather than turning to harmful pesticides, gardeners have shared a useful method for deterring slugs that involves using something you likely have in your bathroom already – soap.
Facebook user Jean Quinn posted on the group, ‘Mrs Hinch Gardening Tips’: “Trialling lavender soap as a pest control for slugs. This tip was given to me by a friend Stuart Egerton who is on a gardening group where we’re both members.
“He successfully used lavender soap to deter slugs for two seasons last year. It needs reapplying monthly and will withstand heavy rain in the intervening periods of time.
“Each month he scattered more lavender soap. We have to grow our hostas in containers due to the heavy clay soil. Every year no matter which slug prevention I’ve tried our poor hostas end up looking like intricately patterned lace doilies.
“Our hostas began to show signs of growth in March. It’s strange but the slugs and snails only seem to be drawn to the hostas when the leaves fully unfurl in April.
“The third Saturday of April I grated the lavender soap into slivers with a cheese grater. Last weekend I scattered the slivers of lavender soap in my six pots of hostas around the plants.
“I’ve put monthly reminders in my phone calendar through to October. I’ll update my findings as the season’s progress as our gardens are heavy clay soil and attract slugs and snails.”
Stuart Egerton added: “Lavender or thyme or spearmint scented soaps are perfect for the application of deterring slugs and snails from eating the leaves on our precious plants.
“Grating large slivers of the soap works best and you are getting two benefits of this to work.
“One is slugs and snails won’t go near anything smelling of lavender thyme or spearmint and the other is a soap barrier that is created once it rains.
“The barrier is formed on the soil surface and reacts with the molluscs suprarenal glands which produces the telltale slime.”
It seems the post has garnered popularity with many people commenting saying they planned to try the method.
Vivienne Chamberlain said: “I love hostas…brilliant idea.” Lorraine Gail Webster commented: “Great idea.”
Lavender soap can be found online and in health and beauty stores such as Holland & Barrett.
Some Facebook users suggested other methods for deterring slugs. Sarah Christensen said: “I put the pots on feet in a saucer and sprinkle salt in the saucer. Not one nibble last year.”
Meanwhile, Allyson Pointer wrote: “Just put Vaseline around the pot works every time.”
