I am a pest expert, how to get rid of snails from your house in 5 steps this winter

AS THE weather cools and we enter the rainy months of the year, we also have something else to deal with: slugs.

Unfortunately for people living in Britain, Britain has been crowned the ‘slug capital of the world’, with each cubic meter of soil containing an average of around 200 slugs.

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And although slugs lay eggs all year round, they are most productive in early spring and fall.

To keep those pesky gastropods away from your home, the household experts at Online Carpets have put together their top 5 natural methods to keep snails out.

Don’t give them access

First and foremost, you need to investigate how the slugs actually enter your home.

There is no point in using snail deterrent solutions if they still have an easy way to get back in.

Slugs have no bones and can therefore fit through small spaces, so keep an eye out for any cracks or holes in your windows and door frames that may need to be resealed. Take a look around the entrances to your home, starting with the doors and moving on to the ground floor windows, and use a suitable sealant to fill any gaps.

Slugs are quite persistent in going where they want, so they will quickly slither to a new place to get in if you haven’t sealed them all off.

Remove any moisture from the carrot

If you find slugs in your home, the first thing you need to do is figure out what attracts them and how they get in.

Slugs love moisture, so they like to go to damp, dark places, leaky pipes or condensation. So make sure you keep a close eye on these places.

People in older homes may be more affected by slug invading due to the original wall construction. Investing in moisture absorbers or dehumidifiers, for example, can be a good way to rid your home of excessive moisture.

They also like to smell, so be sure to clean up any leftover food or pet food you left out.

Copper tape to the rescue

Copper is another good way to keep snails away.

While humans and other mammals use hemoglobin (iron-based) to transport oxygen throughout our bodies, slugs use hemocyanin proteins. These proteins contain two copper atoms, making them sensitive to copper. If slugs stay near copper for too long, it can prevent oxygen from moving through their bodies.

This allows them to avoid crossing copper, making it an excellent addition to entrances or window seals where snails often enter our homes.

However, it is important to note that copper tape should be cleaned regularly with vinegar to prevent tarnish and ensure it remains effective against slugs.

Make a natural spray

Slugs hate strong-smelling plants, and one of the most popular plant scents that are slug-resistant is lavender. Lavender has very low toxicity to humans, making it an ideal choice when it comes to repelling slugs and snails from your home.

Lavender has very low toxicity to humans, making it an ideal choice when it comes to repelling slugs and snails from your home. Other popular choices include rosemary.

You can place lavender strategically at the entrances to your home to create a fragrant barrier against slugs. You can also put some lavender oil in a spray bottle and spray it on surfaces inside and outside your home.

Crack out the coffee grounds

We are a nation of coffee lovers. In fact, it is estimated that 80% of British households buy coffee to keep at home – so there is certainly no shortage of coffee.

And while many of us need a cup of coffee in the morning to get through the day, snails hate it.

All you have to do is sprinkle some coffee grounds at the entrance of your home, which will act as a barrier. However, it is important to note that you should use ground coffee beans and not instant coffee granules. The higher the caffeine content, the better.

If you don’t buy coffee beans for your coffee at home, some coffee shops will give you free coffee grounds from their machines if you ask.