Snails are a problem almost everywhere. Beware if you live in a moisture laden area of the country as they love the dampness. If you live in a dry area such as southern California, they will still come out with the early morning dew.

Plant a selection of herbs and watch them thrive, but keep an eye open for holes on the delicate leaves. The fat, unpleasant visitors can get in when you’re not paying attention. The trail of slime left behind is like a signpost for other snails to follow..

When you attempt to track down the snails, they have already returned to their little hideaways to make babies – thousands of them. To make matters worse, this happens over and over again. They hatch in 10-20 days, and come out starving! Voracious eaters, they can be full grown and making their own babies within 6 weeks.

Find their slimy egg clusters hidden away. Quick! Use your salt shaker and give them a good dousing. They will be destroyed before they hatch.

Snails and slugs live for several years, getting larger each year. They will continue to eat and grow if you don’t wage all-out war.

Gardening in a large or even a miniature greenhouse will help keep these pests away from your plants. If you’re thinking of buying a glass green house snails and slugs won’t be as big a problem.

If they can sneak in when you’re not looking however, they will lay their eggs inside.Follow the slimy trail that they leave in their wake! Moisture collects in corners, under leaves, under the bench. This is where they will hide out.

After you find them, there are several things you can do.

Oat bran does not do well in their digestive tract and will kill them when they eat it.

Snails and slugs will die when they crawl across the sharp edges of Broken Eggshells.

Snails and slugs aren’t too bright. They love the smell of beer but they can’t swim. Put bowls of beer around your plants and the snails will fall in and drown.

If you plant certain herbs they will repel snails and slugs. Grow them in abundance in your greenhouse to keep the snails and slugs at bay. Lavender, lemon balm, mint, rosemary and thyme will all help deter the snails.

Toxic chemicals will never be necessary if you always attack the snails before they get out of hand. In the confines of a greenhouse, herbs will usually do the trick. Sometimes the infestation is severe. In that case, pull out all stops and use all the solutions at your disposal, including a sledge hammer. You won’t need to contaminate your greenhouse with toxic herbacides.

If all else fails, buy a garden greenhouse and perhaps buy a duck or two. Or, just stomp on the little slimers.

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Filed under: Flower Gardening • garden pests • gardening • gardening tips • herb gardening • home gardening tips • organic gardening • vegetable garden

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