Slugs and snails

[jen.myrtle]

I live in a mild and often damp climate that positively encourages slugs and snails. The garden is surrounded by 'Cornish hedges' (stone walls infilled with earth and allowed to grow over with grass and wild flowers)which provide the perfect breeding grounds. By 10pm the lawns and grass paths are liberally covered with both slugs and snails. There are far too many to control with either chemical methods or nematodes and access to the depths of the 'hedge' is impossible without demolition - so far the best solution has been to get the rotary mower out...........but this startles my elderly neighbours who have considered refering me to the 'funny farm' I have struggled with this problem for the last 26 years so any sensible help would be a great relief.

[will]

I think the lawnmower sounds great to me.

Great way to unwind, slicing slugs with your Briggs and Stratton!

Stuff the neighbours.

Maybe you could try a lawn roller if you do need to be quieter.

[Neil Bromhall]

Ji Jenny,

You do seem to have a much greater slug and snail problem than most of us.

Maybe one suggestion is to encourage hedgehogs into your garden. If there is plenty of food they will stay around for some time.
Their are animal sanctuaries that are always looking for suitable release site. Maybe give them a call.

I don't use any slug pellets ar chemicals so I can't offer any advice here.
I let the Thrushes, Blackbirds and hedgehogs to the job.
Maybe another person on this site can offer some more advice.
Best wishes
Neil

[gardenia]

I think it is best to just go out at night with a torch and pick the snails up and put them in a bucket then pour boiling water on them.....
I am not sure how humane it is but it works

[rbrooks]

Originally posted by jen.myrtle
I live in a mild and often damp climate that positively encourages slugs and snails. The garden is surrounded by 'Cornish hedges' (stone walls infilled with earth and allowed to grow over with grass and wild flowers)which provide the perfect breeding grounds. By 10pm the lawns and grass paths are liberally covered with both slugs and snails. There are far too many to control with either chemical methods or nematodes and access to the depths of the 'hedge' is impossible without demolition - so far the best solution has been to get the rotary mower out...........but this startles my elderly neighbours who have considered refering me to the 'funny farm' I have struggled with this problem for the last 26 years so any sensible help would be a great relief.

I've read in the HDRA (Henry Doubleday Research Association) newsletter the old solution is to put beer in small cups buried in the soil up to the lip. Whether they are attracted to the smell I don't know but it's worth a try.

Only trouble is now, my mind is troubled by images of slugs and snails singing on their way home and saying "you're my best mate, you are!"

Good luck,

Richard.

[John Allen]

I did the beer thing when I lived in Dorset, but I eneded up spending much too much time drinking beer myself in the village pub while collecting the contents of the drip trays.

It might have been quicker to hunt them out one by one on a damp evening!