Snails and Slugs

A regular reader contacted me and asked if there was anything that I could recommend to protect his plants from snails. Let us look at some of the options available to combat both snails and their relatives, slugs.

Both of these common pests crawl out to munch on our prized plants during the night, or when there are wet, humid conditions, before retreating into damp shade before the sun comes up. So, if you have a problem with these little devils, you may have too many dark piles of rubbish and rocks in your garden where they can hide away. Sure, you may be aware that some rock/log piles provide refuges for beneficial creatures, but, if you are infested with slugs and snails, you are probably overdoing it. A little housekeeping is called for.

Also, do not spray water all over the garden whilst watering. The dry patches in between the plants, left by drip irrigation, discourage the pests from crawling between plants. Similarly, if you have a problem, water in the morning and leave the surface of the soil dry overnight.

What else can we do? Try collecting them! Hunt them in the evening or early morning and be sure to check out those previously mentioned damp places. In fact, you can buy traps online that aid you in this task. Or make your own. Beer attracts slugs and snails, and a sunken tray of beer will reap a stack of drowned creatures in the morning.

Poisoned pellets were always the mainstay of slug and snail control. However, these contained the chemical metaldehyde. This noxious substance then entered the food chain and became a danger to wildlife and household pets. Some pellets are now made with iron phosphate instead. This is said to be much safer to use and is available in Greece as "Ferramol." Even so, many of you will not want to put any chemicals down in your gardens.

Organic solutions are available and local markets and internet shops that sell traps also sell a variety of repellent sprays. Many of these contain garlic as the active ingredient. This indicates to me another possible solution.

Slugs and snails prefer to munch on tender, juicy leaves and fruit. They do not like oily and strongly aromatic plants.  Inter planting susceptible plants with such things as garlic, lavender and thyme might confuse the slugs and snails. This form of inter planting is known as companion planting.

Some barriers can also be tried. Many people swear by using sharp grits or clays around their favourite plants. The theory is that the soft body of the animal is irritated by the sharp material and they will not cross it.

Salt also repels the animals. It actually is fatal in strong doses and dries the creatures up. Rather expensive for large areas, but how about a mulch around your garden perimeter of sea weed?

Also, copper is said to provide a good barrier. The reaction of the mucus that the animal secretes with the copper produces a mild electrical current which the animals do not like. Copper strips can be sunk into the garden like lawn edging, or copper tape can be wrapped around seed boxes etc.

Remember, if you are using barriers, any slugs and snails inside the barrier will not leave so you may still need to reduce the numbers already in your garden.