Some slug problems are tougher than others, especially if your home is surrounded by damp soil or dense gardens. When sealing and drying things out isn’t enough, it’s time to step it up with more targeted solutions.
One of the most effective and lesser-known deterrents is copper wire. Slugs hate crossing copper—it gives them a mild electric shock due to their slimy bodies reacting with the metal. You can attach strips of copper tape or wire around entry points like doors, pipes, and even baseboards. For even better results, some people run a very low electrical current through the wire using a safe, battery-powered setup. It’s not dangerous to humans or pets, but it creates an unpleasant barrier that slugs won’t cross.
Another powerful method involves introducing natural slug parasites to your garden. These are microscopic nematodes—tiny organisms that live in the soil and infect slugs with bacteria, causing them to stop feeding and eventually die. They’re harmless to pets, humans, and other wildlife, and they’re easy to apply by simply watering them into the soil. If slugs are sneaking in from outside, cutting down their numbers at the source can make all the difference.