Stop! If you're throwing out your egg shells you're wasting one of the most versatile tools you could ever want.

Egg shells can be a nuisance to many of us. If you're not careful they end up in the food, on the floor or on your clothes. Since the shells are usually sticky and gooey we're anxious to be rid of them and immediately toss them.

That's where we're making our mistake.

Egg shells are great for gardens, gardeners and the things that live in your yard. Here's a few tips on how you can be using them better.

1. Keep Pests Away

Slugs, deer and even cats can be a bother to your flower beds. Deer will trample down your hard-work and eat some of it too. They hate the smell of eggs and crushed egg shells will keep them at bay.

Slugs like to munch up your leaves and a cat will do pretty much anything you don't want it to. They hate the feel of crushed egg shells, so putting some on top of your soil will help keep them out of your garden.

2. Add Minerals To Soil

We all know eggs are healthy for us, but egg shells also have their benefits. They are rich in minerals and vitamins, and even if we don't eat them, your soil will. When egg shells break down they add calcium, magnesium and other minerals right into the ground. That means better soil for your plants.

3. Use To Improve Drainage

Putting egg shells in your flower pots can help increase water drainage, air circulation and will eventually breakdown to offer more nutrients. Many gardeners use rocks to help create some space between dirt and pot, but think of how heavy that is!

4. Attract Birds

Birds are soothing to watch, and pleasant to listen to (when it's not the crack of dawn) but there are real benefits to having them in your yard too. They keep the number of pests down, keeping your garden healthy. Birds, especially momma birds, are attracted to the calcium of egg shells. So it's a good idea to sprinkle some into your bird seed to give them a nutritional boost.