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Most of the commercially available poisonous pellets, liquids, or granules aimed at pesky snails and slugs
may also prove toxic to pets, children, and wildlife. Since slugs and snails love yeast, this article will show you a great child and pet-friendly means for dealing with them in your garden.
Steps
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Put a lump of brewer's yeast or sprinkle powdered yeast into a jar of warm water and sugar. The jar must be deep enough to keep the slugs and snails from crawling out. You can also buy containers (traps) designed specifically for this purpose at garden supply stores. [1] X Research source A suggested mixture is two cups of warm water, a packet of dry yeast, and one teaspoonful each of salt and sugar. The salt will help ensure that the slugs and snails die before they have a chance to escape. If you're going to dump the slugs and/or mixture in your garden or compost pile, skip the salt; it'll make your soil too salty. [2] X Research source -
Dig a hole large enough for the jar to sit in up to its mouth. This is best done in the vegetable patch or other garden space where the slugs and snails are patrolling. [3] X Research sourceAdvertisement -
Repeat every few feet. Put these traps throughout your garden at intervals of six to eight feet, since the yeast won't draw them in from any further than that. -
Check daily and remove slugs and snails that have been attracted to the jar and dispose of them. They will have crawled into the jar and drowned. You can leave them in the garden to decompose and contribute to the organic matter of the soil, or put them in a compost pile (either way, crushing them will hasten the process, if you are not squeamish about doing so). [4] X Research source -
Renew the mixture regularly. It will be impacted by rain and evaporation, so top it up as needed. [5] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow close to the rim should I fill the jar? If I fill it too high, won't the slugs simply drink from it without falling in?Community AnswerYes, if you fill it too high, the slugs can simply drink it. Fill it up about 3/4, and you should be okay!
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QuestionDoes champagne work for snails and slugs?Community AnswerYes, but you can use beer because it is cheaper.
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Tips
- This can also be done with beer instead of a yeast mixture.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Brewer's yeast or powdered yeast
- Sugar
- Warm water
- Jar
- Digging implement
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about pest control, check out our in-depth interview with Elmer Bensinger .
References
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 148,565 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I appreciate the recipe for the mixture and the directions given on how to lay out the trap in the garden. It was very detailed." ..." more
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"I appreciate the recipe for the mixture and the directions given on how to lay out the trap in the garden. It was very detailed."
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"Yeast and sugar is cheaper than the beer I was using previously."
"Good way to get rid of these little blighters."
