Learn The Tricks To Get Rid Of Snails And Slugs
One of the greatest pests in any garden are snails. Beware if you live in a moisture laden area of the country as they love the dampness. In any area where there is morning dew there will be snails, even if the general climate is dry.
If the leaves on your otherwise healthy plants look like swiss cheese, you’ll know snails have come to call. Those slimy, fat creatures appear when you don’t expect them. The trail of slime left behind is like a signpost for other snails to follow..
Tracking down the snails is a thankless task. They are in hiding, making thousands of equally homely babies. To make matters worse, this happens over and over again. The little slimy things are born in 10-20 days and lose no time getting to the yummy leaves! Voracious eaters, they can be full grown and making their own babies within 6 weeks.
Look for their eggs – they look like tiny clusters of whitish jelly-filled BB-sized balls. Quick! Your salt shaker is now your best friend. Shake salt on those eggs. They will be destroyed before they hatch.
Snails and slugs live for several years, getting larger each year. They will eat and grow, eat and grow. Stop them now.
Gardening in a hobby greenhouse will definitely help keep those slimy visitors away from your precious plants. If you’re thinking of buying a deck greenhouse you won’t have as many snail and slug problems.
Fat and bold, if they can creep in when your back is turned, they will make babies inside.That slimy trail is a beacon for you to follow! Track them down to the dark, damp corners of your greenhouse. They can hide everywhere. Don’t give up.
Once you find them, there are several weapons you can use.
Oat bran does not do well in their digestive tract and will kill them when they eat it.
Broken eggshells will kill the slugs when they crawl over the sharp edges.
They love the smell of beer. Simply place bowls of beer around your greenhouse. They will fall in and drown.
Slugs and snails will be repelled by some varieties of herbs. Choose your herbs wisely and in the close quarters of your greenhouse, snails and slugs will stay away. Rosemary, lemon balm, mint, lavender and thyme are among the herbs that will help to chase them out.
Keep on top of the problem and you will never have to resort to poisons. In the confines of a greenhouse, herbs will usually do the trick. If you get a serious infestation however and need to take drastic measures, use all the above solutions at the same time. If you do that, you can avoid ever using poison.
If all else fails, buy a greenhouse and a couple of hedgehogs or ducks. Hedgehogs as pets, hmmm.