Eloise Horsfield
GARDENERS who use coffee granules to deter slugs could face heavy fines under EU law.
The seemingly harmless method, popular with organic gardeners looking to avoid chemicals, is deemed to breach regulations on the use of pesticides.
European law states that only registered and approved methods can be used to control pests.
In an effort to prevent potentially dangerous chemical mixes entering the food chain, a blanket ban is imposed on all other deterrents.
“All chemicals being used to control or deter animals are classed as pesticides in the EU, and must be registered and approved for this purpose by the EU,” said Dr Andrew Halstead from the Royal Horticultural Society.
“Legislation requires potential pesticides to be extensively tested for effectiveness and environmental safety before they can be sold or used.”
In theory, the rules mean other popular home-made remedies including beer traps, salt and soaking cigarette butts in water are also banned, although Halstead concedes the chances of being prosecuted are ‘remote’.
“Halstead concedes the chances of being prosecuted are remote”
Watch out, the locals will be out in force. Prickly pears and coffee granules are not a world apart…
This legislation is quite right we don’t want slugs being kept awake at night with an overdose of caffeine.
keep a couple of gekkos in the garden instead, bless em frighten away the best looking slugs. Having said that, the baby gekko is smaller than a slug at the moment.