Are there any good non-toxic insecticides and slug/snail killers?

I want to destroy them in a way that poses no harm to humans; my mum is paranoid about insecticides and snail pellets.|||I'd go for slug/snail killers based on Iron, as these are of no issue to wildlife, gardens, pets or humans. These are the newer type, not based on the old dangerous poisons. There's an example of one here - http://www.thegardenersshop.co.uk/ekmps/鈥?/a> Check the active ingredient and if it's anything other than Iron based, which may say 'Ferrous' (Iron) then don't buy or use it. Typical compound is Ferric phosphate.(Iron phosphate). These degrade into the ground and are beneficial chemicals.





In addition, you can protect your plants with copper tape or barriers, as they won't crawl over these due to electrical charges that they get. Otherwise, diatomaceous earth is razor like to them, and they won't again move across. http://www.slugoff.co.uk/slug-solutions/鈥?/a> from nurseries.





For insects, get hold of insecticidal soap, which kills them. A cheaper option is diluted liquid hand soap, or even dishwashing liquid - these can sometimes dry plants out though.





As you're using soaps, there is no risk to others, though beware of beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, which will also be harmed by these.





Hope this helps. Good luck! Rob|||Beer!


Slugs and snails love the stuff.


Sink a glass jar into the ground near where your gastropods usually hang out.


A nice wide jar with a narrow neck so that there is an overhang.


3/4 fill it with a pleasantly alcoholic ale (the slimies don't seem to be lager drinkers for some reason). Adnam's broadside (bottled) is top tackle for this gig but any brown ale over 5% should do and the cheaper the better unless you feel sorry for them and want to give them a good send-off.


In a couple of days, your jar will be loaded with sozzled snails who have drunk too much, lost their grip and drowned. What a way to go.





Cheers.|||Beer for slugs and snails does work. I have had some success using crushed egg shells to keep them out of my garden; the edges are sharp and cut them when they try to crawl across them.





For an effective contact insecticide I use dish detergent (about 1 tablespoonful in a quart of water) and spray it directly on the bugs. It has to make direct contact to work and the plants need a good rinsing afterward to avoid leaf drop but it is highly effective.





Good luck and enjoy!|||I tend to use the beer in a container method which is very effective and also washing and drying then crushing egg shells and placing round garden and plants they really dont like that and then you find the birds will collect the slugs and snails which is enjoyable thing to watch and its also safe is you have any pets in your household. if needs must salt is also very effective.|||Beer, oddly.


A small mug, or glass, half buried in the soil, half full of beer.


The snails, and slugs, will crawl up the side of the container, and drown in the beer.





Tip. Don't drink the beer.|||Encourage the following into your garden. They all eat slugs %26amp; snails.


Hedgehogs, black birds, thrushes, frogs, toads %26amp; slow worms.|||Insecticidal soap is harmless to pets and humans. Slugs can be caught in traps so there is no need for insecticides for them.|||Salt can kill slug in no time, just put less than a pinch on it.|||Beer in a saucer will take care of most of them. Plus they will probably die happy :-)