Gardeners urged to spray 24p kitchen staple on their plants to keep snails away for good

GARDEN lovers are being urged to ditch expensive pest control products and try a natural, homemade solution instead.

A natural trick that could keep slugs and snails away for good is spraying garlic water on your plants.

As spring arrives and plants begin to bloom, so do the pests.

Snails and slugs can quickly wreak havoc in gardens by chewing through flowers, vegetables, and tender leaves.

Their slimy trails can also spread harmful fungi, leading to rot and other plant diseases.

But there's no need to fork out for costly pellets or spend hours picking the pests off by hand.

Experts say the answer could already be sitting in your kitchen cupboard, and it costs just 24p.

Gardening expert Morris Harkinson is encouraging people to use garlic as a natural deterrent.

He says: “Prevention rather than eradication is key.

“My favourite way to repel slugs and snails is a garlic water mix sprayed around the plants.”

While it may sound unusual, garlic contains sulphur compounds that release a strong smell, something snails and slugs can't stand.

Not only does it drive them away, but it also does so without harming pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are vital for a healthy garden.

To make your own garlic spray, simply boil two bulbs of garlic in a large pot of water until they're soft.

Let the mixture cool down completely, then mash the garlic to release even more of its juice.

Strain out the solids so you're left with a slightly cloudy liquid.

Morris adds: “Store the garlic water in a cool, dry place, and when you're ready to use it, just dilute two tablespoons in five litres of water and spray over your plants once a week.”

It's important not to skip the dilution step, garlic water is strong stuff, and using it undiluted can actually harm your plants, causing leaves to yellow or burn.

Just a light scent is enough to keep the pests at bay.

You can pick up garlic bulbs for as little as 24p at supermarkets like Sainsbury’s, making this one of the most budget-friendly pest solutions around.

Many gardeners have found this natural remedy keeps their plants thriving without the need for chemical treatments.