Garden Pests

(Slimy Snails and Slugs)

~ By Betty G. ~

The first thing one may ask is what is the difference between a snail and a slug? The answer is simply a slug is a snail that has come out of its shell.

Each of these pests have tooth-like jaws that damage leaves and flowers and if not controlled they have been known to make new seedlings disappear altogether.

Unfortunately, slugs and snails are not very choosy as to which plants they like to devour. Other than the new seedlings mentioned above, they love to dine on vegetables including potatoes, shrubs, annuals , all sorts of climbing plants, tubers, bulbs, many fruits and herbaceous perennials that die back at the end of each season.

Both snails and slugs tend to hide out during daylight hours under old pots, rocks and other garden debris but become very active at night when most of their "dining" is done. They are also active on gray and rainy days.

Although it is hard to eliminate them, there are many ways to control them and of course, limit their destruction.

Some of these are listed below

1. One such way is to get rid of many of their usual hiding places mentioned above.

2. You can also protect new seedlings and garden beds by installing a 3" to 4" copper fence around the perimeter of the plants.

3. Another method is to trap them in shallow dishes filled with either beer or a potion of active yeast and sugar added to water.

4. Commercial baits work well too and both Sluggo and Escargo are safe around children and pets. However, others sold in forms of emulsion, pellets and meal can be harmful to both humans and pets, so it is best if they are applied during the late night hours.

5. Diatomaceous earth and wood ashes are also very effective as each acts as good barriers against both the slug and the snail.

6. And, last but certainly not least, if you are not turned off completely by their feel and their looks, of course, you can just handpick them out from your garden.

         

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