In the last few years snails have become a major problem in my garden. I can't afford to employ a full-time snail-collector, I can't put a copper ring round every single plant , and I've given up hoping for the arrival of an army of song thrushes or even a few hedgehogs. Is there anything I could use which would not endanger the birds that live in the garden or visit the feeders? Are birds likely to pick up slug pellets?
I've just looked at the RSPB page - it's excellent. We used to have hedgehogs, but they left home when we did some major renovating in the garden. I'm going to have a word with the toads and tell them where the best supplies are. And I think I'll just have to give up on the hostas!
Hi Jandy
Meant to get back to you sooner. Did you try the Cat biscuits? They are best given on damp days/nights.
"Birds of a Feather".... ~( :o )
Hi Maureen
Our old cat died recentlly - 21 years old, not bad!- so I had to buy cat biscuits. What do you do - pounce on the feasting snails and despatch them to snail heaven (that place full of hostas)? Or do you simply notice that your plants are being left alone? I've put lots of biscuits round my runner beans, and I'll go out later and have a look. One thing slightly worrying, though - neighbourhood cats have got very crafty at lying in wait near the bushes which birds use to get at my feeders, and now they think I'm welcoming them into the garden. I harvested what blackcurrants the wood pigeons had left me, leaving a few for "my" birds, and today I actually ate TWO blueberries that the blackbirds had missed - they see the ripe ones before I do usually. I'm looking forward to a strawberry soon - if the snails don't get it! I'll let you know how the cat biscuits go. Some snails have very beautiful shells, don't they. (By the way, I lived in France for five years, and I quite enjoyed eating them, mainly because of the garlic they're served with!)
We will all have to start cleaning our snails and eating them. I've never tried it but it takes about 2 weeks I think.
Use whatever talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sing the best.- Henry Van ***
I've that that approach round my hosta plants. Didn't work, neither did egg shells, or gravel. Have tried copper tape round plant pots, didn't work, put a special mat down, didn't work - slugs and snail decimated my marigolds and basil plants. I found the only thing that worked was rounding up the pests by hand from both their hiding places and when they start to appear at night and then disposing of them.
Judith W said: In the last few years snails have become a major problem in my garden. I can't afford to employ a full-time snail-collector, I can't put a copper ring round every single plant , and I've given up hoping for the arrival of an army of song thrushes or even a few hedgehogs. Is there anything I could use which would not endanger the birds that live in the garden or visit the feeders? Are birds likely to pick up slug pellets?
Margaret Baker
Strictly a beginner birdwatcher. Favourite bird is the goldfinch
I have found that the 'sheep's wool' stuff does indeed protect crops perfectly from slugs and snails. It's harmless to wildlife and lasts a whole season - but it can work out expensive if you have several beds to protect. Coffee grounds were useless in my garden. Crushed eggs shells might work if you can collect enough to make a thick enough border around the beds or precious plants - I never could! Soot and bonfire ash are both perfect deterrents, but again, getting enough is difficult, and of course both get washed in when it rains.
I find nothing really beats the torchlight nightly patrol. I've recently been collecting up slugs and snails in a container. I put in some leaves to kep them alive, cover the container tightly with a double J-cloth and the next morning, I crush the snails, decapitate the slugs, and put them all on the bird table! So far every scrap has been eaten! Two birds with one stone...
I gave up the battle with slugs and snails a few years ago, my flower beds are now planted with plants slugs and snails don’t eat. There are a number of plants I really miss but the number of Blackbirds and Thrushes living/breeding in my garden is well worth the sacrifice.
My vegetable beds are all raised beds and I net them all so the birds can’t get in and I can use slug pellets around cabbages etc.
Build it and they will come.
Just spotted this question..
I have used the sheep wool pellets with great effect - my lettuces were completely untouched. I totally recomend them
I also ensure the nightly visit of hedgehogs by putting bird peanuts down for them every evening - they absolutely love them. They are never touched on damp or wet nights however as more slugs and snails come out and they spend all night snaffling them instead.
Sounds although your slug problem is a major one.
Just to say to the moderators that the RSPB website is super for all types of information on all subjects.
In our last Garden we had a Snail infestation, and some of the Snails are 'biggies'. I found that they like to hide in dark areas. We have a Bird Food Wheelie Bin (full size one), and the snails love to hide in it,, along with lot of Earwigs. To this day I have never understood how they manage to get in their with their shell and all, so I am dumbconfounded with that thought.
So when I found them in the Wheelie Bin I would place them on the pathway outside for the birds, and the Thrushes would happily make short work of them. We had a troup of 10 Blackies, and a Song Thrush or two. They ate them with gusto.
Ever seen a Song Thrush trying to smash open a shell - they hit the Snail on the concrete to show that they are determined to get the morsel inside. The Snail must be knocked out quite quickly.
Years ago we had an Organic Garden, and we placed eggs shells and sharp sand to keep Slugs, and Snails of our Strawberry patch. The only thing is that the rain make short work of removing the barrier so it had to be replaced on a regular basis.
They are very distructive as they like to go through a lot of plants at one time.
Hope that a solution is there for you., Jandy
Regards
Kathy and Dave