Using melon to deter slugs – 3 fast, natural ways to keep this pest away
Using melon to deter slugs is a refreshingly easy way to regain power over your plants – and it’s backed by experts


Decor Ideas. Project Inspiration. Expert Advice. Delivered to your inbox.
Thank you for signing up to Homes & Gardens. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
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. 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.
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.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Decor Ideas. Project Inspiration. Expert Advice. Delivered to your inbox.

Megan is the News and Trends Editor at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes. As the News Editor, she often focuses on emerging microtrends, sleep and wellbeing stories, and celebrity-focused pieces. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
-
-
The best way to clean shower grout – from someone who has tried everything
Cleaning shower grout is no one's favorite activity – here’s how I leave mine looking as good as new with minimal scrubbing and just one ingredient
By Chiana Dickson Published
-
How to organize kitchen island drawers – 9 ways to boost practicality
Expected to house all manner of items, kitchen island drawers are prone to messiness – here's how to keep them organized
By Tara King Published