Snails snails snails

Discussion in 'Wildlife Corner' started by Nikki Maclean, May 11, 2022.

  1. Nikki Maclean

    Nikki Maclean Gardener

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    Morning!

    Any ideas on the best way to deter snails? We get loads & they just love a good munch on my pretty plants. I’ve even planted some primroses in one pot away from everything else on the hope they go to one place, probably a silly idea .
    Putting anything around the compost doesn’t work for us as we have 3 dogs that like eating the compost
     
  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I get thousands of snails around especially on damp nights after rain.

    The only thing that actually works in keeping down the numbers, for me, is slug pellets, but with compost eating dog's, not really an option .

    A torch and two bricks.;)
    Do you have any French friends?:biggrin:
     
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    • NigelJ

      NigelJ Total Gardener

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      Take up Morris Dancing and practice on damp nights.
      There are nematodes for slugs, but these don't work well for snails.
      Snails will also find there way back from the neighbour's gardens so throwing them over the fence doesn't help.
      Encourage thrushes and ground beetles as both eat snails.
      Snails like young growth so get your plants as big as possible before planting out.
      For special plants nightly patrols are the only real answer, removing hiding places can also help.
       
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      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        I've found slug pellets don't work any more now that you can only buy the eco friendly stuff that doesn't harm anything.

        Beer traps work if you can face emptying the slimy mess.

        I use garlic wash on my hostas which works, it needs applying every few days and after rain.
         
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          If you want to save on beer,:thumbsup: a solution of Bovril seem to be a good way of turning your garden into a slug and snail haven.:biggrin:
          Put some out for the foxes and the thing was full of them when I looked later.
           
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          • Black Dog

            Black Dog Gardener of useful things

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            Stay away from beer traps or stuff like that. Most of the time the slugs will only call in some more buddies.

            Wait for a rainy evening or morning, get a bucket filled with soapy water and throw them in there. Once it is full and they stopped moving, down the storm drain they go.

            Edit:
            They can also be repelled by putting down used coffee grindings or spent tea leaves. Seems like a soft squishy underbelly and lots of slime isn't ideal if you want to crawl over highly toxic caffeine.
            But unless you have a severe addiction, this wil probably only work for a few select high-value plants. Sometimes I put a bin next to the coffee machine at work with a sign on it "dispose your old coffee grounds here". Gives me a lot more ammunition in the neverending war against those slimy invaders.
             
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            • JWK

              JWK Gardener Staff Member

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              :loll:

              Costa and Starbucks give away their coffee grounds. I pick a bag up when I pass, I'm not convinced it works but I keep doing it.
               
            • joolz68

              joolz68 Total Gardener

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              I use sand,may stop your dogs eating the compost too..its not cheap :)
               
            • Loofah

              Loofah Admin Staff Member

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              My wife's great aunt used to find one snail and squash it under boot. This was left in situ which, she said, attracted other snails which she then disposed of enmasse.

              I have two ponds and the frogs don't seem to do an awful lot but this year I'm just trying to brave it out with pests.
               
            • joolz68

              joolz68 Total Gardener

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              Hi John,does it work for anything else as i work at Motorway services and can get coffee grounds from costa unit ? thanks....sorry i know its off topic of thread
               
            • john558

              john558 Total Gardener

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              Has anyone tried this, my kind neighbour gave me half a bag. STRULCH.jpg
               
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              • Janet mahay

                Janet mahay Gardener

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                Hi i use used fresh coffee it works most of the time
                 
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                • roders

                  roders Total Gardener

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                  We have a new method to dispose of slugs and snails……..we have acquired a hedgehog.
                  I don’t know how he got in but he/she is a blessing.
                  We saw these strange poos on the patio firstly thinking it was cats but dissecting the evidence there were bits of snail shells inside.
                   
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                  • Loofah

                    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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                    Perfect! We have the poop but no evidence of the hedgy or a diminishing mollusc population
                     
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