UK’s slug invasion: How to attract birds that eat slugs

With a slug invasion taking over the gardens across the country, Brits are being encouraged to attract birds to deal with these slimy pests naturally.

The experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk have provided their advice on how to create a bird-friendly environment in your garden.

The amount of rainfall Britain has seen over this spring and summer combined with the recent warm weather has led to an invasion of slugs, causing damage to gardeners’ precious plants.

Instead of using chemical slug pellets that can pose a risk to other wildlife in the garden, green-fingered Brits are advised to attract birds that eat slugs.

Birds like thrushes, blackbirds, robins and starlings love to eat slugs and snails which makes them the perfect helpers for keeping the slug infestation under control.

To transform the garden into a haven for birds, gardeners can install a bird feeder, provide a water source, avoid deadheading flowers and create shelters.

Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “Birds are natural pest controllers and that’s why you should encourage them into your garden to reduce the slug population instead of using harmful chemicals.

“Birds like thrushes, robins and blackbirds feed on slugs and other pests, which not only protects your plants but also supports a healthy, diverse ecosystem.

“Attracting birds is easier than you may think – installing a bird box and providing them food and water will quickly transform a garden into a welcoming haven for your feathered friends.

“Another effective method is avoiding deadheading flowers, as they produce seed heads that are a food source for birds.”

Here are GardeningExpress.co.uk’s tips for attracting birds into the garden:

1. Install a bird box 

Installing a bird box in your garden provides birds with a safe nesting place. This will ensure that your garden is not just a pit stop for birds but a place where they can settle. This means that you can continuously benefit from these helpful pest controllers.

2. Provide food 

Set up bird feeders in your garden and fill them with bird food such as nuts, seeds, suet pellets or mealworms. Providing a food source will increase the chances of birds returning to your garden. 

3. Provide a water source 

Providing a fresh water source is an excellent way to attract birds to your garden, as they need water for drinking and bathing. A bird bath not only benefits the birds but also enhances your garden’s aesthetic appeal. Alternatively, a shallow dish or small pond can also serve this purpose. 

4. Avoid deadheading flowers 

Try to avoid removing dead flowerheads, as the seeds they provide are a great source of food for your feathered friends. Flowers like sunflower, coneflower and teasel have large seed heads which provide a rich source of protein for birds. 

5. Create shelters

Consider leaving an area in your garden untidy. You can leave the grass longer and avoid clearing up fallen leaves and branches. This will not only create shelters for birds but also make it easy to find slugs and other pests that often hide in these areas.

6. Plant native species

To provide birds with their natural habitat in your garden, plant more native species. Birds are familiar with native plants which makes them more attractive to them. Native plants that produce seeds and berries are an excellent choice as they also provide food for birds.