What is a green alternative for slug bait?

Lifestyle news: Slug bait

Dear Wendyl,

I have noticed that the new plants in my garden are being chewed to bits by snails and slugs, but I don’t want to use slug bait, as I have read that it contains nasty chemicals. Do you have a green alternative?

Charlie

Dear Charlie,

Diatomaceous earth is a chalk-like silica powder which is a very effective slug and snail killer, yet quite safe to have around pets, hedgehogs and birds. The slug or snail crawls over the powder and it dehydrates them, effectively killing them. You can buy it at some garden centres or health stores, or I stock it in my online shop GreenGoddess.co.nz