Slugs and caterpillars are a gardener’s worst nightmare as they will eat any plant they come into contact with, and can destroy months of hard work overnight. 

Jelle, a gardener and founder of Makkelijke Moestuin, has shared a simple homemade solution that will naturally stop slugs, as well as other pests, from nibbling on any beloved plants. 

He said: “This spray helps fight caterpillars, slugs, snails, and all kinds of other pests. Like ants, aphids, caterpillars, and whiteflies.

“It contains oil (from the garlic) and soap, so it sticks to the plant. This suffocates aphids and tiny caterpillars. And it makes the leaf inedible to those pests – not to you.”

How does it work?

Garlic is highly effective at keeping slugs away as it contains sulfur, which tastes awful so they will find it unappealing and it will also greatly irritate them.

Slugs have a very sensitive sense of smell so combining both garlic and onions will create a potent mixture that will naturally repel them.

Cayenne pepper is spicy which slugs will hate and will go out of their way to avoid it in the future if they taste it. 

Washing up liquid helps the mixture stick better to plant leaves and foliage but can also break down the protective layer of mucus on slugs which will make them vulnerable to the other ingredients.  

Jelle said: “They’ll avoid the plants you’ve sprayed. The smell is pretty intense. Use the spray, and your garden will smell like a French kitchen.” 

How to keep slugs away naturally using a homemade solution 

You will need: 

• One litre of water 
• Five garlic cloves (chopped)
• One small onion (chopped)
• One teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• One tablespoon of washing-up liquid 

Method: 

Fill the spray bottle with water, then add the chopped garlic and onion. Screw the lid on and leave the solution to marinate for two to three days.

Once the time is up, strain the water to get rid of the vegetables, then add the cayenne pepper and washing-up liquid. 

If you have any issues with the solution being too thick and clogging the nozzle, then strain it again through a cloth napkin or coffee filter. Then spray the homemade solution on your plants every few days or after it has been raining.

Jelle said: “It’s best to do this in the early evening because that’s when the slugs and snails come out.”

The homemade spray should repel slugs as well as other pests such as caterpillars and aphids so your garden plants stay protected from becoming an insect’s supper.