THE warmer weather might be here to stay but tons of garden pests are too.
If you are struggling to keep slugs and snails at bay, there is a simple way to stop them which costs less than 50p.
Like all good life hacks, this nifty tip comes from TikTok and was originally shared by amateur gardener Billie Mehmet.
Alongside content creator @Cypriot Sam, the pair showed just how easily they banish garden pests – without using harsh chemicals.
In fact, the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it hack uses an item typically found in your kitchen.
Even better, they widely available and won’t cost you a small fortune either.
To get started, you’ll need to grab a plastic plant pot (big enough to fit around your plant), table salt and Vaseline. (Yes, you read that right.)
Rather than popping your plant in the pot, you’ll need to carry cut away the bottom of the container using a pair of scissors or a sharp knife.
Once this is done, you then need to coat the top of the pot in a thick layer of Vaseline – just as Sam did.
While it is still tacky, you can then coat it in table salt as influencer explained: “[I use] really, really cheap salt. The cheapest salt you can get.”
And when you are done, simply pop the pot over your plant.
Though this may seem too good to be true, the hack works because salt draws the water out of slugs and snails’ skin – leading them to become extremely dehydrated.
Often, this will kill them in minutes.
Instead of risking this, these garden pests will simply avoid anywhere with salt.
If you weren’t already sold, this gardening hack also provides a physical barrier to protect your plants too.
Speaking about the now-viral tip, Billie says wears by the hack and added: “This actually works. If we don’t put it on there, by the morning we’ve got a slug problem again.
“They just don’t go near it.”
While most of her followers were convinced, some questioned what would happen to the soil if the salt dropped.
One moaned: “If you get salt in your earth or plant, it will kill them too.”
Another asked: “What happens when it rains? Does the salt not wash off?”
To which Billie replied: “Not really…it sticks to the Vaseline.”
In the comments, she did advise to take the plant pot off, if you were concerned about this happening.
For anyone who is tempted to try this at home, you should be able to find everything you need for this gardening hack in your kitchen and bathroom.
However, you can pick table salt for as little as 40p at M&S right now – if you need it.
You can also find a small tub of Vaseline for just £1.80 in Boots and a five pack of plant pots for £1.75 in Sainsbury’s.
Who said getting a beautiful garden has to cost a fortune?
Hornets and wasps – hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.
Moths – acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants – herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes – plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mossies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
