Snails and slugs are one of the common garden pests that have proven quite difficult to control. These pests hide under rocks, boards and garden debris during the day and feed on plant material at night. They can be found eating large ragged holes in leaves or devouring young seedlings. There are many species of snails and slugs. The bodies of both these pests have similar characteristics, with the snail's body being protected with a shell one-half to one inch long. Slugs do not have a shell. The body of these pests are usually grayish and worm-like in appearance. They can be found in flower gardens, vegetable gardens and in the lawns. Gardeners can obtain partial control by a combination of removing hiding places and using baits. Total control is difficult to achieve. The removal of rocks, boards and debris from the garden area will reduce the number of hiding places. If only a few slugs are present in a garden area, you may want to trap them by laying boards or rocks between the rows. The slugs or snails will tend to crawl under these during the day. Each day the boards and rocks can be lifted and the pests removed and destroyed. Article at http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/askext ... l/1166.htm
Hi there! New to this forum, this is just the topic that sent me searching. Something is starting to feast on my Hostas, I was told by a friendly neighbor to put egg shells down around by the hostas, she also said putting beer in small containers will kill them. They apparently are attracted to the smell and climb in and drown in it. I would appreciate any input anyone has on this problem. This is the best year so far for my hostas....I was so excited that they were prospering so well. Imagine my dissappointment when I went out to look at them and saw all the "biting" on the leaves. Thanks!
Hi there! I maintain a gaden for an elderly lady who puts slug pellets in a jar, the snails crawl in and die, beneficial wildlife can get to them (not even birds) and all you have to do is throw the jar away without touching the snails themselves! Hope this is of some use to you. Kind Regards Adam
Slug pellets are definitely very effective at killing slugs but boy is it gruesome :x I guess it depends on what kind of gardener you are, some like pellets and some prefer the 'catapult' method
Hi Adam - Just wanted to say hello and welcome you to GardenStew!!! Great idea putting slug pellets in a jar wouldn't have thought of doing that.
Such a warm welcome! No problem guys i love to helpwhen i can! Thanks for the warm welcome people, i like it here! I myself don't use slug pellets as i am very keen on wildlife so i wouldn't want to harm it, but the jar method is good for anyone who does use pellets. Kind Regards Adam
Have to agree with you there Adam. I don't use them either as I have a completely organic, wildlife garden and have had for the past twenty years. I have very little damage from slugs and snails o,r in fact, any other pests for that matter. Why waste money on chemicals when, with a bit of patience, the natural balance asserts itself and does the job for you on its own. 8)
Snail in jars Adam, what a brilliant solution! And like most brilliant solutions, so simple. I have a serious slug/snail problem. I live right next door to a park, and they come in their hundreds!. I have tried all sorts of solutions, and none really worked, because they always come back. The most effective solution I found was slug pellets, when I first moved in. At that time I had a family of hedge hogs resident, but they dissapeared, and to my eternal shame I believe it was the use of slug pellets that killed them. So I stopped using them, and live with the loss of plants. Now I have an alternative! And to all those who hate slugs, and I can understand why, my thoughts are that they deserve to exist, and once my plants are big enough to sustain an occaisional nibbling from them, I do't mind. What pains me is my seedling disappearing before I see them!
Slugs and Snails We suffer terribly with slugs and snails, I go out and collect them to throw onto the garage roof where we have a couple of song thrushes that like to come for a snack
