Introduction
Once snails enter your garden, they can cause havoc for your plants and leave you feeling irritated. Gardening can be a relaxing and enjoyable hobby, but when snails invade, they can cause havoc for your plants and leave you frustrated. How To Get Rid Of Snails In A Garden? These slimy intruders are infamous for chewing on leaves, stems, and even fruits and vegetables, causing substantial harm to your cherished plants due to their feeding habits. Do not be alarmed if you find that snails have taken up residence in your garden; a variety of efficient methods can assist you in removing snails and protecting your plants from further damage.
What Are Snails?
Snails are small mollusks that are slimy and have a foot that is squishy but has some muscle to it. They use this foot to travel around your yard and leave a slime path behind them. They are often dark, gray, or black, and as they move, they leave behind a slimy and mucus-like path. It might be as small as slugs or as enormous as the snails that have the shape of globes.
When a snail detects danger, it can retreat into its strong shell. They are common on suburban lawns, forest clearings, and even arid regions due to their varied plant diet. Snails are hermaphroditic, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs and can reproduce independently without the need for a partner. This makes it challenging to prevent and control snail infestations, which can quickly become widespread.
Common Garden Snail Species
Depending on the climate, common garden snail species can change. Only a select few are common sights in gardens all around the world. Some common garden snails are as follows:
Common Garden Snail (Helix aspersa): Also known as the brown garden snail. This species is one of the most prevalent in gardens. They typically have brown or yellowish shells and can grow up to 1.3 inches (33 mm) in length. These snails have a reputation for consuming large amounts of plant life.
Giant African Land Snail (Achatina fulica): The name gives away the fact that these snails are much larger than your average garden snail. They are native to East Africa but have become invasive in many regions. Giant African land snails can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) in length. And they’re well-known for their adaptability to eating many different kinds of vegetation.
Brown Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum): Often confused with the common garden snail (Helix aspersa), the brown garden snail, also known as Cornu aspersum or Cantareus aspersus, is widespread in many parts of the world. These snails have brown shells and are known for their plant-damaging habits.
All-Natural Methods That Will Help You Get Rid Of Snails
Let’s look at different methods to help you keep snails under control in your home garden.
Handling the Removing: Snail removal by hand is a simple method. However, there are more effective long-term treatments. Two tweezers can pick up snails, and the animals can be placed in an alcohol solution or baking soda water. Check on the garden regularly and remove any pests that you find there. If you are the type of person who has the patience and time to pick each snail individually.
Sets of Bait and Traps: You can use a can filled with beer to set up a bait for catching snails. It would help to put beer into a wide-mouthed jar in areas where you believe there may be snails. To make it simpler for the snails to get to the jar’s contents, bury it just a little bit in the ground.
Eggshells: Eggshells may not be the most foolproof method for getting rid of snails. But due to the sharp edges on their surfaces, they are effective in stopping snails from entering an area. When they are clean and dry, they function more efficiently. Egg shells do not necessarily kill snails, but they do make the garden an undesirable environment for snails since they slow down snail movement.
Grounds for Coffee: Coffee grounds help prevent snail infestations and add nutrients to the surrounding soil. The use of grounds is an excellent home remedy that can be used to ward off these slimy animals. Slugs will retreat and are unlikely to return after coming into contact with caffeinated soil. It is generally agreed that caffeine is more effective than metaldehyde, which is available for purchase.
Eliminating Snails the Organic Way
Earth Comprising of Diatoms: The fossilized remnants of freshwater diatoms, known as diatomaceous earth or DE, are a particularly efficient pesticide against snails. Diatoms are a type of green algae that have shells made of silica. These diatoms are put to use in the extermination of insects, cockroaches, and other pests.
A second application of diatomaceous earth is required, like eggshells, when it rains or becomes wet. When it is dry, it has an extremely powerful effect. The silica in it penetrates the snail’s shell and causes it to lose water, killing the snail.
Bran of Wheat: By scattering bran made from wheat or corn around your plants, you can substantially reduce the snail population. When snails consume bran, it either causes them to dry up or causes them to die. However, you will need to reapply it after it rains because it loses its effectiveness in soil that is already moist.
Copper: Copper strips give snails electric shocks, making it harder for them to traverse and move around the environment. To prevent snails from entering a specific location, you can use copper strips or fragments to make a barrier. You can also keep your pots on copper mats if you use something other than copper tape.
Plants that are resistant to snails: Include in your gardens some plants and herbs that are resistant to snails, such as rosemary, sage, lavender, hostas, geranium, garlic, and chive. These lovely plants do not eliminate the snail population alone, but they can be highly effective when combined with other control strategies.
Conclusion
Snails can be a persistent nuisance in your garden, but with the right strategies, you can effectively control and eliminate them while maintaining a healthy and thriving garden. It’s important to choose methods that align with your garden’s size, the severity of the infestation, and your environmental values.
A combination of strategies, such as hand-picking, natural repellents, and barriers, can provide the best defense against snails. Regular monitoring and consistent maintenance of these methods will help ensure your garden remains snail-free and your plants flourish. By taking a proactive approach and implementing the techniques discussed in this guide, you can reclaim your garden and enjoy a bountiful harvest without the threat of snail damage.
