- Snails are a common problem in the garden, damaging crops and flowers, especially active at night and in humid environments.
- Effective snail control requires a combination of physical (barriers) and chemical (spraying) methods.
- Learn about natural ways to repel snails, such as home-made vinegar sprays, and learn about plants and animals that will help you protect your garden.
- Do you want to get rid of snails from your garden once and for all? Read how to create an effective barrier and safe spraying!
Mix with water and spray places where snails feed. You will get rid of them once and for all
Snails in the garden are a common and quite persistent problem. Like all other pests, snails come out to feed in spring and are active practically throughout the entire season. They are most active at night and are favored by high air humidity. In Poland, the most common varieties of snails include the Lusitano snail (considered the most common pest in Europe), the spotted snail and the great snail. Pest snails have nothing to do with these cute animals from children’s drawings and popular nursery rhymes. Shellless snails feed in gardens and flower beds, which not only leave behind ugly slime, but also cause great damage. Snails destroy crops and feed on leaves and small organic elements of plants. They can also eat bulbs and flower buds.
. Even the best deterrent traps are sometimes ineffective. Experts indicate that a combination of two methods – physical and chemical – will work best in the fight against snails. The first of them are natural barriers that they cannot cross freely. Crushed egg shells or charcoal scattered around the beds will work great for this purpose. Both the shells and the coal release various types of microelements into the soil, additionally feeding it. Spraying is an expensive step in the fight against snails. In this case, an ecological spray based on water and vinegar will work best. Mix both these liquids in equal proportions and gently spray the places where the snails feed. Remember that this type of spray can be safely used on paving stones or terraces, but you have to be careful with the plants. It is best to spray around the roots. Avoid excessive spraying of leaves and shoots. Vinegar can burn and dry out plant parts. This type of spray has both a repellent and contact effect on snails. This means that pests will not return to the same places.
How to minimize the risk of snails appearing in the garden?
In the garden, it is worth using natural allies, both among animals and plants. Many creatures will happily include snails in their diet, thus helping to keep their population under control. Hedgehogs are real snail killers. Mainly active at night, these adorable spiny mammals can eat a surprising number of these pests. To encourage hedgehogs to live in the garden, it is worth providing them with shelter in the form of a pile of leaves, branches or special hedgehog houses. Birds, especially blackbirds, thrushes and fieldfares, also like snails, especially the smaller ones. The more different species of birds in the garden, the greater the chance of naturally controlling the snail population.
In addition to animals, some plants can also act as a deterrent to snails or be inedible to them, helping to protect sensitive species. Tagetes (Tagetes) are known for their properties that repel many pests, including snails. Their intense smell and bitter taste make snails avoid them. Planting marigolds around vegetable beds that are particularly vulnerable to snail attacks can be an effective strategy. Nasturtiums are another plant that can serve as a “trap” for snails. Snails eagerly eat nasturtium leaves, which helps distract them from other, more valuable plants. They can be planted at the edges of the garden or in places where snails appear most often to concentrate them there. Plants with a strong aroma, such as sage, thyme, rosemary, garlic and onion, are usually avoided by snails. Their intense smell disorients the snails and makes them reluctant to approach them. Planting these herbs near sensitive plants can provide a natural odor barrier.
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