No matter how big or small your garden is, slugs and snails are you worst enemy. These insatiable pests can consume several times their own body weight in food in one day. That means a lot of damage to your plants. Snail and slugs can seem to appear out of nowhere, especially when the weather is mild and damp. So it’s little wonder we’ve tried many different ways to control them.
50 years ago most gardeners kept a drum of salt at the ready to pour on the poor, offending creatures as they appeared and salt was sprinkled around newly planted seedlings. And traditional slug pellets, while extremely effective, can affect local wildlife who eat the poisoned slugs and snails. With a more natural focus to gardening becoming popular, more of us are turning to natural alternatives to pest repellents. Today we are going to list the 19 best natural ways to prevent snails and slugs in your garden.
If you love coffee, coffee grounds might be your best bet when it comes to protecting your plants and deterring slugs and snails. Slugs and snails, unlike us, hate coffee. And coffee grounds also add nutrients to your soil. Coffee grounds are one of the best and most recommended ways to deter slugs and snails from your garden.
Apparently, slugs love beer! And if you don’t mind killing the slugs and snails in your garden, a beer trap might be your best option. Sink a butter or yoghurt tub into the ground with the rim at soil level. Fill this with beer to create the beer trap. The slugs and snails are attracted, fall in and drown. Make sure you use a tub that is deep enough that the slugs or snails can’t crawl out again. This is obviously not a great option, however, if you have pets who may get into the tub and drink the beer before your pests!
Egg shells are a super effective option when you spread them as a barrier ring around plants. If you live near a beach, you can also use crushed up sea shells. Broken egg shells and sea shells have sharp edges that hurt snails and slugs as they try to crawl over them. The shells will eventually break down and add nutrients to your soil. However, you will need to eat a to of eggs or find a lot of sea shells to keep up the needs of your garden and pest control.
With their colorful flowers and ability to thrive in coastal environments, beach morning glory plants are a popular choice for seaside gardens. However, snails can quickly become a nuisance, munching on the foliage and flowers of these delicate vines Getting rid of snails on beach morning glory requires using a combination of physical barriers, natural predators, and diligent hand removal.
Understanding Snail Damage
Snails are drawn to the tender leaves and blooms of beach morning glories as a food source. The holes, shredded foliage and missing flowers caused by snails not only detract from the plant’s beauty but also hinder its growth. Left unchecked snails can decimate these plants, so taking proactive measures is key.
Encouraging Natural Predators
Creating an environment that attracts birds frogs lizards, and other natural snail predators can help reduce their numbers
-
Install a small pond – frogs and lizards will help with control.
-
Put up bird houses and bird baths to invite insect-eating birds.
-
Avoid pesticides that could kill beneficial predators.
-
Include plants that attract predator insects like ground beetles.
Physical Barriers
Snails dislike crawling over rough, sharp surfaces. Barriers can prevent them reaching plants:
-
Copper tape wrapped around pots or bordering planting beds.
-
Crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth around plants.
-
Gravel mulch at least 2 inches deep.
-
Sand, cinders, or wood ash spread in 3-foot wide paths.
Handpicking for Removal
-
Inspect plants in the evening and pick off any snails.
-
Search under boards, rocks, pots, and other hiding spots.
-
Collect snails in a bucket for relocation or disposal.
-
Dig around damaged plants to find buried snails.
-
Patrol after rain or watering when snails are most active.
-
Use a flashlight to spot night-feeding snails.
Organic Snail Baits
-
Place containers of beer 1/2 inch deep in the soil to attract and drown snails.
-
Set out lettuce or cabbage leaves and collect snails that gather underneath in the morning.
-
Use sugar water or yeast mixture traps – they’re drawn to the scent.
Maintaining Your Garden
-
Eliminate any trash, debris piles, or neglected areas where snails find refuge.
-
Keep the garden free of weeds and dense ground cover.
-
Avoid moist mulch, which creates an ideal snail environment.
-
Water in the morning so plants dry out during the day.
With persistence using these approaches, you can protect your beach morning glories from the ravages of snails. Pay attention to snail activity patterns and problem areas in your unique garden. A little effort goes a long way toward fully enjoying the beauty of these plants.
9: Wheat Bran/Corn Bran
Small piles and rings of wheat or corn bran can be sprinkled around plants. When slugs and snails eat the bran it causes desiccation and death. This is a totally organic option and safe if wildlife eat the dead pest, they get a little extra nutrition. However you will need to replenish it regularly after rainy weather.
12: Gravel, Bark or Wood Chips
Gravel, bark, sharp sand and wood chips create a barrier for snails and slugs. It makes it difficult for the pests to get around and slide over the irregular, sharp surfaces. Adding this to your gardens can help reduce the chance of them being eaten by slugs and snails, and these top coats also look stunning in a garden. Wood chips and bark look great in natural styled gardens, while stone and sand looks amazing in modern style gardens!
How to Get Rid of Snails (4 Easy Steps)
FAQ
Do snails eat morning glory plants?
What kills snails but not plants?
How do you get rid of snails from floating plants?
How do you get rid of Morning Glory bugs?
Hang yellow, sticky cards around your Morning Glory plants. This move helps you identify any infestation early on. Spray Neem oil on your plant once you see some kind of movement on the plant. You may also spray Insecticidal soap on the affected parts of the plant to keep bugs in control. Don’t ever use chemical insecticides to counter these pests.
What eats Morning Glory?
A green caterpillar named Leafcutter attacks Morning Glory. These eat holes into the leaves of Morning Glory. Some of these even bore into the tender stems. Large populations can decimate the entire Morning Glory plant. They crawl around your prized plants eating as they go. You need to respond as soon as you even one caterpillar on the plant.
Do slugs eat morning glory vines?
Yes, snails and slugs can devour the entire Morning Glory vines. These pests attack your precious vines at night. Snails and slugs leave behind a slimy trail as they go through your garden. Slimy trails are the primary signs of their presence. If you see slimy trails and punctured leaves, you can confirm their presence.
How do you grow beach morning glories?
To establish beach morning glories in gardens, take a cutting and set it into moistened sand. The internodes will shortly send out roots. Set them 3 feet (1 m.) apart and keep plants moist for the first few months. Gardeners growing beach morning glories can breathe a sigh of relief.