Snails on the grass

Discussion in 'Lawns' started by hedgefog, Jul 12, 2016.

  1. hedgefog

    hedgefog Gardener

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    Hi All

    The other day in the evening, I went out to the back garden and on the lawn, there were lots of huge snails were on the grass. They were black colour and very large.
    They were all over the grass. I was wondering what they are doing on the grass. Do they eat the grass? What should I do?

    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. NigelJ

    NigelJ Total Gardener

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    Practice your Morris Dancing.
     
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    • hedgefog

      hedgefog Gardener

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      I was wondering if they were eating the grass leaves, or roots?
       
    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      Never seen black snails before - have you got a photo of them?

      They will be eating the grass and also searching for more succulent fare. They don't go for roots.
       
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      • hedgefog

        hedgefog Gardener

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        Are they harmful to the lawn then? Should they be picked and binned?

        Yes, I will try to get the photos next time I see them.

        Right now, I look at the lawn in the middle of sunny afternoon, they are all gone. They seem appearing in the evenings especially when it is raining.
         
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        I don't worry about snail damage on my lawn, I am more worried about them finding my Hostas or potatoes so I do remove them as I see them. Grass grows too quickly for snails to damage it unless you have a major infestation.
         
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        • Kandy

          Kandy Will be glad to see the sun again soon.....

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          Hi @hedgefog do you feed the birds at all because of you have any bird feeders near your lawns then the snails could be attracted to any dropped seed or they could be just crossing your lawn to get from one side of the garden to another.Song Thrushes love them and they are part of their staple diet but sadly they are declining so if you want to get rid of them then the best thing to do f you don't want to use slug pellets is to pick them up if you are able to and put them in your green recycling bin.:smile:
           
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          • Sandy Ground

            Sandy Ground Total Gardener

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            Do you mean snails (with shells) or slugs (without shells)? It sounds as if you mean the latter. Your description makes them sound like Spanish Forest Slugs...more EU migrants! :snork: Generally speaking, slugs are nocturnal creatures and only appear when the weather cools down towards the evening, then disappearing again after dawn when the sun rises.

            My advice would be to do an evening patrol, and cut the blighters in two with secateurs or similar.
             
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            • hedgefog

              hedgefog Gardener

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              yeah I was wondering, because at one point I saw about 20 of them scattered all over the lawn. The grass seems ok though. I think my hostas are at the back under the trees, and they are attacked a lot by slugs and snails. I need to do something about it though.
               
            • hedgefog

              hedgefog Gardener

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              We used to get huge magpies, pigeons and black birds coming to the lawn and pick the worms and slugs, but since we put the ultra sonic cat repellent for the grass at the corner of the lawn, they don't come anymore.
               
            • hedgefog

              hedgefog Gardener

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              yeah I think they are the slugs. They don't have shells. They look like fat worms, very large and black in colour.

              yes, they seem coming out in the evening, crawling all over the grass. I hate to go near them, but maybe something has to be done.
               
            • Mowerman

              Mowerman Gardener

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              @hedgefog

              Get a feather duster, go outside at 2AM and tickle them all over with it. Slugs hate being tickled and will go a neighbour's garden instead.

              If that fails, buy a pair of size 12 football boots and moonwalk repeatedly down your garden 'til they're all mushed up.

              If that fails, steal a couple of hedgehogs from a hedgehog sanctuary... or maybe buy a tub of slug pellets.
               
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              • martin-f

                martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

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              • "M"

                "M" Total Gardener

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                What utter nonsense :nonofinger: ...



                ... they LOVE it!!!! :heehee:
                 
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                • Rustler

                  Rustler Super Gardener

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                  A lot of my plants have been devastated by slugs and snails. I am getting rid of 50 plus per night. It's heartbreaking. But, one thing I have noted, is that my Fuchsias are completely pest free. I really hope I'm not signing their death warrant here but does that make sense?
                   
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