Snails and lots of them!!!!!

[paulineward]

Any ideas on getting rid of the influx of snails in the garden over the last couple of years?

They are taking over the garden!!

[softspot]

Buy or borrow a chicken. They adore snails. Alternatively collect them in a bucket and dump them a few miles away.

[Lonnie]

In reference to the above answer, I read an article in a gardening mag, where the columnist collected as many snails as she could from her garden, painted their shells, and dumped them some miles away, she gave it about a month, checked her garden, and taking into account the ones that would have been eaten, crushed etc, at least 50% had returned,.

the conclusion was that snails have a homing instint.

[paulineward]

Thanks.

What you posted was interesting Lonnie.Planning on taking ours on a ten mile trip and see how long it takes them to get home!

Joking apart, if anyone has any more ideas I would be really grateful.

[Lonnie]

Hi paulineward, that was a true article, but I did post it 'tongue in cheek',

There are a number of things you could try, and 'try' is the operative word, I use Copper Rings an Tape to keep them off my plants, it works a treat, but the initial outlay is a bit expensive,

One thing not to do, is to use pellets or beer traps, these things are designed to attract the little perishers, so even though they do work, you also get them coming in from elsewhere as well

[paulineward]

Thanks Lonnie. You gave us a giggle here about the 'homing snails!'

We have been using pellets, so will take on board what you said. It makes sense really.

Many thanks for your replies.

[shaneystar2]

They are a pest ...I use copper rings round some plants with good results and also vaseline smeared round pots and tubs. Crushed eggshells,hair ,my own and the dogs hair.Sharp sand ..you name it I've tried it. I don't use pellets because of the dog and the birds or beer traps. I collect them up if there are a lot and throw them on the shed roof ..any thrushes soon home in !! I have been known to put cabbage and cauli stalks and leaves out so they eat that and leave my plants alone ! Swines ! It's a losing battle.

[paulineward]

Thanks shaneystar. Will try your suggestions - and put some on shed roof ! See what happens. Don't know if it's my imagination, but there seems to be more than ever this last 2 years in particular.

[antiguru]

Big problem. No simple solution.

If you're not too squeamish, kill them rather than rehome. Stamp on them or poor boiling water on them in a bucket. Or dig a hole and bury them alive.

If you are squeamish (and I am) go to the source. Snails have to breed somewhere so check out damp areas in the garden or wet plants where they could be lurking beneath, putting on weight and planning their assault. At this time of the year in my garden I often find little colonies beneath new shoots on perennials.

I also put them upsidedown on paths to give the birds a treat....

[paulineward]

Thanks antiguru - we have had some good tips to try and reduce the problem. We'll give them all a try. Cheers

[nickmo]

Snails lay about 80 eggs each, maybe 6 times a year - thats a lot of snails - so if you can find them all then you will get rid of them. Try to encourage wild birds in as above, they will eat the pest, and garlic granules are actually menat to be effective - breaks down to a sulphur compound that deters snails - good garden centres should stock them or buy online.

Natural control by diatomaceous earth products - basically crushed diatoms (fossil sea shells) in earth - claim total success (one site at: http://www.aboutde.co.uk/category.do?category=48 or try a good garden centre) or also try woodash around plants ) again, sulphurous and poor surface for them - if the snails cant get to their food they will creep off elsewhere. Also remove places they can shelter such as any bits of wood or stones they can get under to shelter - make the place less friendly.

[Catwoma]

Adopt a hedgehog! My hubby and I foster injured hedgehogs from our local rescue centre and we are rewarded with a slug and snail free garden. Nature is always the best way to keep them down.

Good luck, I know snails can be a bleep bleep pest.

[paulineward]

Thanks Catwoma....like the idea.

Thanks to all for the information and suggestions. I have learnt a lot! Will try some of the ideas out.....here's hoping!

[puzzled54]

I dug up an old shrub bed last year and was amazed by how many snails and slugs I found. They lurk at the base and under the shrubs. So far this year, the area I cleared has been slug free. I often go out in the evening when we have had rain (especially after a dry spell) on a slug hunt, armed with a handful of salt. The salt makes them, well explode I suppose, but it does kill them. Not very nice but then neither are pellets. As we now have a green recycling collection, I now put them in there and think that they can at least gorge themselves on the garden waste and die happy.