Do this early on in the growing season before the snails have had time to lay eggs. Otherwise, your plan may backfire and make the environment a little too hospitable.
Choose a bucket or another container with a handle that will be easy to carry around while you’re combing your garden for intruders. Be careful not to let the salty water spill into your garden, or it could weaken your plants.
Placing a couple large wooden boards near the center of your garden may help simplify your search by giving the snails a place to gather and hide.
If you don’t feel comfortable sending scores of snails to their deaths, you can also deposit them in a bucket lined with sand or sawdust and release them somewhere else later on. Hunting for snails can be time-consuming task. It’s not unusual for gardeners to collect as many as 200 a night!
Some gardeners even go so far as to dissolve the snails they catch in a bucket of plain hot water and pour the soupy solution over their plants to serve as a warning for other snails in the area. [3] X Research source Get in the habit of repeating this chore nightly, or perform inspections periodically as needed.
For example, you could use a tuna or catfood can, both of which are great options for traps. If you’re interested in a heavier-duty solution, you can buy lidded snail traps from most gardening centers for as little as $10.
Shallow containers will obviously be easier to bury, and won’t be as disturbing to the soil in your garden. Avoid sinking the edging of the container flush with the soil. This can cause other beneficial insects like beetles and lacewings to fall in by accident.
Any type of beer will do the trick, but cheaper varieties will probably be best, since you’ll just be throwing it away when you’re done. You can also use a mixture of yeast and honey if you don’t happen to have any beer on hand. It’s actually the yeast that snails find so alluring, rather than anything in the beer itself.
Be sure to empty and refill your trap every day or every few days until you’ve got the problem under control. [7] X Research source
This easy trapping method will also work with other types of citrus, but grapefruits tend to work best because of their large size.
The only exception to this measure will be when you have thirsty plants like roses or impatiens that need to be watered several times per day. Only give your plants as much water as they need. Soggy soil is particularly inviting to snails, slugs, and other moisture-loving pests.
Likewise, it may be a good idea to get rid of oddly-shaped statues, ornaments, and other garden fixtures where snails might be hiding if you’ve dealing with a serious infestation. Snail are hermaphrodites, which means even a single critter has the potential to lay dozens of eggs and make your snail problem worse. [10] X Research source
By contrast, plants like hosta, dahlias, beans, cabbage, and strawberries are among the most common targets of hungry snails. [12] X Research source
Consider inviting other wildlife into your garden, if you’re not worried about their numbers becoming an issue. Many types of birds, toads, and snakes have been known to make a meal of garden snails. [14] X Research source
When using copper collars to protect in-ground plants, be sure to sink them deep enough to prevent crafty snails from burrowing underneath. Many gardening centers sell bands of copper that are 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) wide for precisely this purpose. Be careful not to disturb or damage the roots while you’re placing the copper band around the plant.
Snails also have difficulty traveling across other loose materials like sand and sawdust, and tend not to try unless they’re desperate for food. Garden snails are particularly fond of beans, cabbage, basil, delphinium, hostas, dahlias, lettuce, strawberries and marigolds.
It’s important to use grounds that have already been used to brew coffee. Freshly-ground beans won’t provide the same effect.
Grab a coarse-ground variety of salt like kosher or sea salt rather than ordinary table salt. The larger pieces won’t break down as quickly in damp soil. Salt can be harmful to vegetation as well, so it isn’t a good idea to sprinkle it directly onto your plants or any areas where you intend to do any growing in the future. [19] X Research source
You can find diatomaceous earth at most major garden centers and greenhouses, and even some hardware stores. Look for untreated products designed specifically for garden use. Always wear a breathing mask anytime you’re working with diatomaceous earth. It can be a serious irritant if inhaled. [20] X Trustworthy Source National Pesticide Information Center Organization run by Oregon State University providing objective, science-based information about pests and pesticides Go to source
Be aware that snail pellets can also be extremely toxic to other animals and even people. For this reason, they’re not a wise solution for those with small children or pets at home. [22] X Research source
