How to Get Rid of Slugs on Patio Using Beer

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How to get rid of slugs on patio using a simple, chemical-free method with beer traps. Keep your plants safe and your garden slug-free this season.

how to get rid of slugs on patio using beer

Each spring, our garden and yard get completely infested with slugs. They devour our seedlings and even larger plants, gnawing at our potatoes, flowers, and other vulnerable plants. 


I am always so frustrated to see my hard work go to waste as every night, the slugs have a feast, causing extensive slug damage in my beloved garden. Determined to make this stop, we tried many different things to deter the slugs from our vegetable garden and find out how to get rid off slugs on our patio.


From sprinkling coffee grounds, grinding eggshells and sprinkling them around our plant pots, to spraying baking soda—nothing worked. We were struggling to find a solution for the snail problem until a friend told me about this tip.


It seemed so simple that I struggled to believe that it would work. To my huge amazement and disbelief – it did! Finally, a chemical-free way to get rid of different species of slugs from our garden and patio.

a slug crawling on the ground

Why You’ll Love This

  • Cheap:  Beer is inexpensive and easily accessible, making it a cost-effective alternative to commercial snail baits. You can save money while protecting your garden plants with an ingredient you likely already have at home.
  • Simple & Fast: This one’s incredibly easy to set up and requires minimal effort. 
  • Chemical-Free: Beer provides a natural, eco-friendly solution to getting rid of slugs without using harmful chemicals. It allows you to maintain a healthy garden, safe for pets, beneficial insects, and other wildlife, while effectively targeting only the slugs.

What You’ll Need

  • Beer
buckets of beer

Instructions

  • Pour some beer into small bowls
  • Position the bowls every few feet around your garden and yard and leave them out overnight 
  • In the morning, you will find your bowl full of dead slugs!

Other Chemical-free Methods for How to Get Rid Of Slugs on Patio

Here are some other ways you can use to remove slugs from your patio or garden. I haven’t personally tried those, so can’t vouch for them. But they’re worth a try if you want an alternative to the beer traps method. 

Copper Tape or Strips

Copper tape or copper strips create a protective barrier around the edges of your patio or garden beds. Slugs and snails dislike copper because it reacts with their slime, giving them a mild electric shock.

Sharp Sand or Pine Needles

Sprinkling sharp sand or gravel or pine needles around your patio and garden plants is another chemical-free way to get rid of slugs. The sharp edges of the sand or gravel or pine needles make it difficult for slugs to move across, discouraging them from entering the area.

Citrus Halves

Using citrus halves is a simple and natural way to manage a slug infestation. Place the fruit halves around your patio and garden. Slugs are attracted to the citrus, but once they gather, you can easily dispose of them the next morning.


This method is a good idea for those who prefer not to use chemicals. However, it may not be as effective in large outdoor spaces or areas with lots of slugs. Plus, it requires regular replacement of the citrus. 

Horticultural Grit or Wood Ashes

Sprinkling horticultural grit or wood ashes around the base of your plants and along your patio edges can help control slugs. The sharp sand in the grit creates an uncomfortable surface for slugs to cross. 

Slug Traps

Use containers filled with a bit of water or soapy water, placed at ground level around your patio and garden. Slugs are drawn to the traps, where they drown. It’s that simple!

Using Biological Controls

Biological controls involve introducing natural predators to manage a slug problem on your patio. Predatory beetles, ground beetles, and nematodes (tiny worms) can help keep the slug population under control. These natural predators feed on slugs and their eggs, gradually reducing their numbers.

Pros and Cons

One major benefit of using biological controls is that they offer a long-term solution without relying on chemicals. They help maintain a balanced ecosystem by adding natural enemies of slugs, which can be especially useful for persistent slug issues. 

bowls of beer to remove slugs on patio

FAQ

If you’re facing a serious slug problem, it’s best to use a mix of methods. Beer traps work well in damp, shady spots, but you can also set out slug traps with soapy water for extra coverage.


In tougher cases, add copper tape around your plants or sprinkle sharp sand to create a barrier. Combining these methods will give you a better chance of keeping slugs away from your garden.

Copper tape or copper strips create a protective barrier around your patio and garden beds. The copper bands react with the slug’s slime, delivering a mild electric shock that repels them. Unlike beer traps, which attract slugs, copper tape acts as a deterrent. This method works well but might need replacement over time due to wear.

Besides beer traps, you can use coffee grounds and egg shells around your patio. Both create a rough surface that slugs find uncomfortable to cross. 


Coffee grounds and eggshells also serve as organic matter that can improve soil health, though they may need regular replenishing.

Introducing natural predators like predatory beetles, ground beetles, and beneficial insects can help control the slug population. These predators feed on slugs and their eggs, providing a long-term pest control solution. 


While quite effective, biological controls may take time to show results and are not always suitable for large areas or severe infestations.

Yes, citrus halves and slug traps can be effective. Place citrus halves around your patio; slugs are attracted to the fruit and can be disposed of the next morning. 


Similarly, slug traps with a bit of soapy water can capture slugs at ground level. Both methods are practical and avoid chemicals but may require frequent replacement or cleaning.

Sprinkling wood ashes or horticultural grit around your plants and patio can act as a barrier. Wood ashes alter the pH of the soil, making it less hospitable for slugs, while horticultural grit provides a rough surface. 


These methods are great ways to naturally control slugs but might need frequent reapplication, especially in moist soil conditions.

Pine needles and sharp sand can be spread around your patio to deter slugs. Pine needles provide a rough surface that slugs avoid, and sharp sand creates a barrier with its sharp edges. Both methods are effective in areas prone to slug problems but may need to be refreshed periodically, especially after rain or in damp environments.

Good housekeeping, such as removing dead leaves, organic matter, and other plant material from your patio, can help reduce slug hiding places. Keeping your patio clean minimizes potential food sources for slugs and reduces the likelihood of an infestation. Regularly clearing these hiding places can complement other control methods and help manage the slug population more effectively.

slug crawling on a concrete

Tips

1. Use shallow, wide containers: 

Choose shallow bowls or dishes like plastic lids, making it easy for slugs to crawl in but hard to escape. For best results, partially bury the containers so the rims are level with the patio surface.

2.Place strategically:

Set the beer traps where slugs are most active—damp, shaded areas, or near plants they target. Space them a few feet apart to cover more ground, and set them out in the evening when slugs are most active.

3. Keep the beer fresh:

Slugs are more attracted to fresh beer, so replace it daily or every couple of days. If rain is expected, cover the traps with a small board or lid raised slightly to prevent the beer from getting diluted, while still allowing slugs to enter.

Slug

How to Get Rid of Slugs on Patio Using Beer

How to get rid of slugs on patio using a simple, chemical-free method with beer traps. Keep your plants safe and your garden slug-free this season.

Materials

  • Beer

Instructions

  1. Pour some beer into small bowls
  2. Position the bowls every few feet around your garden and yard and leave them out overnight 
  3. In the morning, you will find your bowl full of dead slugs!

Notes

Other Chemical-free Methods of Removing Slugs Off Your Patio

  • Here are some other ways you can use to remove slugs from your patio or garden. I haven't personally tried those, so can't vouch for them. But they're worth a try if you want an alternative to the beer traps method. 

Copper Tape or Strips

  • Copper tape or copper strips create a protective barrier around the edges of your patio or garden beds. Slugs and snails dislike copper because it reacts with their slime, giving them a mild electric shock.
  • This control method works really well for keeping slug populations at bay without chemicals. One of the main differences from using beer is that copper does not attract slugs; it simply repels them. However, it can be a bit more expensive and the copper tape may need to be replaced over time due to wear or damage.
  • Use containers filled with a bit of water or soapy water, placed at ground level around your patio and garden. Slugs are drawn to the traps, where they drown. It's that simple!

Sharp Sand or Pine Needles

  • Sprinkling sharp sand or gravel or pine needles around your patio and garden plants is another chemical-free way to get rid of slugs. The sharp edges of the sand or gravel or pine needles make it difficult for slugs to move across, discouraging them from entering the area.
  • This method works well in damp areas where slugs thrive. Unlike beer, which attracts slugs, sharp sand creates a barrier. However, you'll need to replenish it regularly to keep it effective, especially after rain or in moist soil.

Citrus Halves

  • Using citrus halves is a simple and natural way to manage a slug infestation. Place the fruit halves around your patio and garden. Slugs are attracted to the citrus, but once they gather, you can easily dispose of them the next morning.
  • This method is a good idea for those who prefer not to use chemicals. However, it may not be as effective in large outdoor spaces or areas with lots of slugs. Plus, it requires regular replacement of the citrus. 

Horticultural Grit or Wood Ashes

  • This method works well for small gardens and tender plants. Unlike beer traps, which attract slugs, these traps capture them directly. One downside is that traps need regular checking and cleaning, and who really wants more work? 
  • Each of these methods provides a way to address a slug problem without chemicals. The best approach for you may depend on your specific outdoor space and garden plants.

Using Biological Controls

  • Biological controls involve introducing natural predators to manage a slug problem on your patio. Predatory beetles, ground beetles, and nematodes (tiny worms) can help keep the slug population under control. These natural predators feed on slugs and their eggs, gradually reducing their numbers.

Pros and Cons

One major benefit of using biological controls is that they offer a long-term solution without relying on chemicals. They help maintain a balanced ecosystem by adding natural enemies of slugs, which can be especially useful for persistent slug issues. 

  • Sprinkling horticultural grit or wood ashes around the base of your plants and along your patio edges can help control slugs. The sharp sand in the grit creates an uncomfortable surface for slugs to cross. 
  • Wood ashes act as a barrier, changing the pH and making the environment less hospitable for slugs. Both methods are good ways to manage slugs naturally. However, they might not be as effective in moist environments and may need to be reapplied frequently.

However, biological controls might take time to work and won’t provide instant results like beer traps. They also may not be as effective in very large or heavily infested areas and require suitable conditions to thrive.

Tips for Using Beer to Get Rid of Slugs in Your Garden

  1. Use shallow, wide containers: Choose shallow bowls or dishes like plastic lids, making it easy for slugs to crawl in but hard to escape. For best results, partially bury the containers so the rims are level with the patio surface.
  2. Place strategically: Set the beer traps where slugs are most active—damp, shaded areas, or near plants they target. Space them a few feet apart to cover more ground, and set them out in the evening when slugs are most active.
  3. Keep the beer fresh: Slugs are more attracted to fresh beer, so replace it daily or every couple of days. If rain is expected, cover the traps with a small board or lid raised slightly to prevent the beer from getting diluted, while still allowing slugs to enter.

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