The £2.99 plant that’s a slug magnet and stops them nibbling on your flowers
Slugs may not be the fastest of creatures, but they can quickly destroy your flower beds.
A woman showed a plant that can protect your garden from pests.
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Responding to a Reddit afteruser Indigowulf shared the “slug magnet” she swears by.
Instead of spraying poison or using a repellent yourself, she suggested planting a flower to attract slugs from your garden.
The poster showed which plant is most effective at attracting snails.
“Plant comfrey around the edges of the plants you want to protect,” she advised.
She explained that the beautiful flower has a scent that attracts snails.
“Comfrey attracts slugs. They stay on the plant and largely leave the rest alone,” the Redditor said.
Comfrey seed sachets are available for £2.99 from Thompson & Morgan.
Most gardeners consider this plant to be easy to grow and care for.
This ‘hardy perennial’ is also known as Symphytum officinale and has several benefits.
It has healing properties, among other things, although experts advise against using it on open wounds.
You should also never take the plant orally.
Healthline reported that oral preparations of the plant have been linked to liver damage and cancer.
However, it is used in Japanese medicine as a topical treatment for joint inflammation, bruises, muscle sprains and burns.
To attract slugs, some experts recommend cutting the leaves and placing them in the furthest corners of your garden.
With this method you could successfully chase the bugs away from your flower beds.
Why are there so many snails at this time of year?
Horticultural experts at Iowa State University explained that snails are most common in our gardens from spring to late summer.
This is because the creatures like cool, moist conditions and therefore burrow into our flower beds to avoid the hot summer days.
Snails also lay their eggs in the ground. These hatch in the spring, so that a new batch can emerge in the summer months.
For best results, leave the leaves overnight, as snails are nocturnal.
You can discard the leaves in the morning and repeat the process if necessary.
Reddit users shared their thoughts on the pest control advice in the comments.
“I love comfrey and am going to try this! Thanks,” wrote one impressed reader.
“I noticed this. I removed them and they were all over my thyme, chives and other plants. I will replant one with a terracotta pot next to it,” said another.
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