Using melon to deter slugs – 3 fast, natural ways to keep this pest away

Melon’s benefits for the body need no introduction – but what if this fruit was the solution to your pest problem too? 

If you’re wondering how to get rid of slugs, then you may find the solution with this organic method that is safe, sustainable, and entirely expert-approved. And this natural garden idea couldn’t come at a better time. 

While slugs can cause damage to a variety of plants throughout the year, new growth on herbaceous plants in spring is most at risk, according to the RHS (opens in new tab). Therefore, if you need a quick solution amid the peak of the season, then using melon to deter slugs could be what you need. 

Using melon to deter slugs – 3 steps to quick success

‘Slugs cause many problems in the garden by eating everything from leaves and stems to bulbs and flowers,’ explains the experts at The Greenhouse People (opens in new tab). 

To minimize the damage, they suggest turning to homemade traps that will protect your plants and vegetables naturally. Here’s what the process involves. 

1. Remove the fruit to create an empty shell 

According to The Greenhouse People, you should begin by cutting the melon in half before scoping out the main fruit. This will leave you with melon rind, but you can enjoy the fruit in the process. At the end of this step, you should be left with something that resembles a bowl. You should create as many as you think you need to deter the pests in the problem area. 

2. Place the melon bowls around your garden

The express recommends placing your melon bowls around the edge of garden beds before digging some more into the soil for slugs to fall into. 

‘Slugs will be drawn to the sugary melon and will gorge themselves on the fruit,’ they say. The pests will likely eat so much that they won’t be able to climb out of the bowl. 

3. Collect your traps

The gardeners at The Greenhouse People recommend leaving your traps overnight before checking on the results in the morning. If the trap has worked, then you can dispose of both the rinds and slugs together.

And if you’re not a melon-lover, then there are some other fruity alternatives that are equally impactful in protecting your kitchen garden ideas from the pest.‘Cantaloupe melon and oranges all make for perfect slug traps,’ they add. 

Now you have another reason to add this fruit to your cart the next time you’re at the market.