Autumn is in full swing and your garden is slowly but surely preparing for hibernation. But snails and slugs do the same thing. How to get rid of these pests so that disaster does not await you in the spring? Take a look.
Autumn is in full swing and winter will soon arrive. Your garden is slowly but surely getting ready for hibernation, so mulch is being prepared, some plants are being moved from the garden to the greenhouse or indoors, spring bulbs are being planted and non-woven fabric is being put over certain plants to protect them from frost. But your garden is not the only one preparing for hibernation. Reptile pests such as snails and slugs also need a place to hibernate. And it can be right in your garden. However, it could ruin your harvest in the spring. So what to do if snails and slugs are now moving in?
Snails and slugs
Snails and slugs hide in autumn wherever possible. In soil, in compost, under leaves or mulch, or under stonesso that they can survive the winter in relative comfort and unharmed. What unfortunately happens very often, and is a very common stumbling block in spring, is egg laying. Snails and slugs lay their eggs directly in the ground, where after a few months the young hatch, which are able to completely devastate your crop.
So how to prevent it? This is quite tricky as you need to be very careful. Not only snails and slugs need to hide under attacked leaves during the winter, but also beneficial animals such as hedgehogs or ladybugswhich, on the other hand, you need in the garden in spring, as they eliminate various pests. Therefore, a really careful inspection of the animals hiding under the leaves is needed.
What about eggs? Remember that snails and slugs lay their eggs in moist substrate during this period, where they then bury them. However, there are inexpensive mechanical barriers that can protect your garden from spring clearing. For example, you can sprinkle them as a barrier around flower beds. It is also possible to use sand, ash, or copper tapeswhich prevent slugs and snails from accessing the soil.
Avoid the spring disaster
At the same time, it is important to dispose of the eggs if they are already loaded. Dig the soil well and watch out for translucent whitish eggs that stick together in clutches. If you find them, you have a few options. You can bring them to your apartment with a piece of soil, put them in a box or aquarium and make a child happy for Christmas. If this seems like a bad idea, dispose of the eggs by crushing, freezing or, conversely, pouring hot water over them.
