Here are some simple ways to assist you in getting better control of those pesky
but slow moving pests of the garden world
Snail Baits Beer Bait. Place
one or more shallow trays around the garden and fill it/them with 3cm (1 Ό in)
of stale beer. Slugs and snails crawl in and drown, adding a pinch of sugar
will make it even more attractive.
Snail
Traps
Mirror
Trap Get an unframed mirror or mirror tile, (aprox 600
x 600mm or 2ft x 2ft) is a good size. Lean it over, but not flat on the ground
surface (Reflective side down), in a shady area of the garden. The snails seem
to like to collect on the reflective surface, making collection easy by daytime.
This method I found by accident when renovating a house.
Flower
Pot Trap. Turn an old flowerpot upside down, while propping up one side, in a
shady part of the garden as an efficient trap for slugs and snails. Collect by
day.
Citrus Shell Trap. Remove the pulp from half a citrus fruit or
use ones you have squeezed. Put it open side down in a shady part of the garden.
It seems that slugs and snails like the taste of citrus fruits. Collect them
by day.
Destroy the snails by whatever means you prefer. e.g. try mixing
up a container of very salty water to drop the snails and slugs into. Then
move these traps around the yard as required.
Snail Sprays Try a spray
of equal parts of vinegar and water, to kill them.
Snail Barriers
They
do not appear to like copper, so try partly burying a 3cm (1
Ό in) foil strip around tender seedlings or plants. Or lay a barrier around a garden
bed. However remember not to let the copper get into contact with plants
as it might damage or poison plants over the long term as it corrodes. They do
not like to crawl over rough surfaces, so you could try to spread a layer of sawdust,
wood ash or crushed eggshells around tender seedlings and plants. Unfortunately
these only work when dry, so you may need to reapply after wet weather.
Other
Points
Remove decaying vegetation, empty pots, rocks
and other debris from the garden. This eliminates alternative daytime hiding
spots.
Ducks, chickens, some wild birds and/or lizards could be encouraged
into the garden to assist you in eating the snails and slugs.
The Bare Bones Gardener is a qualified Horticulturist and a qualified Disability
Services Worker. He hates spending money on stuff which doesnt live up to
the promises given. So he looks for cheaper, easier, simpler or free ways of
doing the same thing and then he passes these ideas on to others.
Garden Blog
- http://barebonesgardening.blogspot.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_M_Williams
|
