Slug and Snail Control Products

Slug and snail pellets, reusable traps, copper barrier tape, and diatomaceous earth. Choose the method that suits your garden, the level of activity, and where you need protection - pots, beds, borders, patios or allotments.

Ferric phosphate. Metaldehyde pellets have been banned for outdoor use in Great Britain since 2022, so anything you buy now uses ferric phosphate instead. Always read the label and follow the stated dosage; scattered pellets should be thin and spread rather than heaped.

It depends on your situation. Pellets can be useful for targeted treatment in problem areas, used only as directed on the label. Traps help monitor and reduce activity without spreading product around the garden. Copper tape acts as a barrier to help stop slugs and snails reaching pots and raised beds. Many gardeners get best results by combining barriers with monitoring, then adding targeted treatment if pressure is high.

Focus on damp hotspots and hiding places: around the base of vulnerable plants, under pots, along bed edges, near fences, and anywhere you see slime trails. Place traps near cover and along likely routes. Apply copper tape around clean, dry rims of pots and planters, pressing firmly for a secure seal. Always follow the label for placement, dosage and any restrictions.

Suitability varies by product type. Always read the label and use as directed, and keep children and pets away from treated areas as required. If you want to reduce exposure risk, consider traps and barrier methods such as copper tape, and place treatments securely. Store products out of reach and wash hands after use.

Diatomaceous earth can help when applied in a light, dry layer to targeted areas as directed. It only works while dry and undisturbed, and needs reapplying after rain or watering. Use it as part of a broader approach: remove hiding places, improve garden hygiene, and combine with barriers or traps.

Two different symptoms. If damage appears on plants right next to a barrier, check the barrier is continuous and that no leaf or stem is bridging it - a single leaf touching a wall or another pot gives a route straight over the top. If damage is spread across the bed, they are sheltering in the bed itself rather than travelling in; barriers will not help there, so target the damp harbourage under pots, slabs and debris and treat at dusk when they are active.