Ever notice how you rarely see slugs or snails hanging out in mossy patches? It’s not just a coincidence! Mosses actually produce a specific scent that acts like a “keep out” sign for these slimy garden pests. If you’re looking for a natural way to protect your plants, moss might just be your new best friend.
Why Slugs Steer Clear of Moss
Slugs generally avoid areas with thick moss growth. They aren’t fans of these green spore-bearing plants, and you can use that to your advantage in the garden. You can either:
- Establish a protective “moss wall” around your garden beds.
- Use liverwort extract as a powerful, natural slug repellent.
Oxylipins: The Secret Weapon
Mosses don’t have thorns, prickles, or toxic sap to defend themselves from hungry pests. Instead, they rely on chemistry. They produce compounds called oxylipins—scents that act as a natural feeding deterrent. Slugs find the smell repulsive and will move on to find a snack elsewhere.
Liverwort: The Heavy Hitter
While all types of moss contain these compounds, liverworts have the highest concentration of oxylipins. Other mosses work too, but you might need a larger patch of them to get the same “stay away” effect that a little bit of liverwort provides.
Using Moss as a Natural Barrier
You can easily put this natural defense to work in your own backyard. Try planting moss as a groundcover around flowers that slugs usually love to munch on, or create a mossy border around your vegetable beds. That scent they hate will keep the slug population in your garden way down.
DIY Liverwort Extract for Slug Control
Because liverwort is so potent, it’s often used to make concentrated sprays. You can actually make your own extract using water and a bit of alcohol. Here’s how to use it:
- Start with a mix of about 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of extract per quart (1 liter) of water.
- Spray your plants in the early morning or evening.
- If the slugs are still being stubborn, gradually increase the concentration of the extract.
Bonus: Fighting Fungus with Liverwort
Liverwort extract isn’t just for slugs! It’s also a fantastic organic antifungal. It helps protect your plants from common issues like powdery mildew, gray mold (botrytis), black spot, and peach leaf curl. It’s basically a multi-purpose health boost for your garden!