'Unlikely' food scraps to scatter in your garden to keep slugs away from plants

Slugs can be a nightmare in any garden (stock photo)

If you're tired of slugs munching on your lovely plants but not keen on the idea of scattering salt outside to fend them off, pest control experts Rentokil have a solution. They explained: "Crushed egg shells work as a great home remedy for slugs. This is because slugs don't like moving across sharp objects, although it isn't impossible for them to do, they just prefer not to."

To put this into practice, simply gather a few used eggshells, bust them into small pieces, and scatter them around the greenery you wish to protect. And as an added bonus, the decomposed shells will lend a calcium boost to the surrounding soil over time.

Don't worry if you're vegan or just don't like eggs as Rentokil says nut shells can also do the job. Or for a smellier solution, try using fresh coffee grounds - slugs can't stand the aroma, and simply getting near it makes them turn tail.

Eggshells are often dismissed as food recycling waste but can also be helpful in sprucing up your garden as they could well be the missing ingredient that helps your plants flourish.

"Eggshells are good for plants as they provide a natural source of calcium carbonate, which is an essential nutrient for plant growth," says Lucy Rhead, a gardening enthusiast at tools brand Gtech. She notes that the shells can help neutralise acidic soil, making them particularly beneficial for plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, and hollies that struggle in acidic conditions.

Craig Morley, a gardening expert from online retailer Budget Seeds, points out that as eggshells decompose, "the calcium carbonate helps to strengthen the plants' cell walls, which encourages growth and aids in fortifying roots."

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Eggshells may also play a role in preventing blossom end rot a disease linked to calcium deficiency in fruits such as aubergines, tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. However, it's important to remember that eggshells don't immediately impact soil health. They only start to release calcium after they've broken down, a process that can take several months or even years. This is something gardeners should keep in mind when considering using eggshells in their planting methods.

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