Defending your garden: effective methods to eliminate destructive slug snails

Slug snails are large and the absence of a shell is a defining characteristic. They are perhaps the worst variety of snail for a garden, as they are capable of decimating crops in very little time. They have a particular preference for cabbage and lettuce. If you notice snails in your garden or allotment, it's important to address the infestation as soon as possible.

The garden is a haven for snails. They are able to find their favourite plants and the conditions are optimal for their survival. Besides plants, slug snails also feed on small insects which frequent gardens and plots, particularly during the summer.

So, how can you rid your garden of snails? Interestingly, a grapefruit can be just the solution. It turns out snails are fond of it. So how can you use this citrus fruit in combat against snails? Simply place a halved grapefruit in an area inhabited by snails. As grapefruit contains a significant amount of essential oils, snails quickly pick up on its scent and are drawn towards it, inadvertently stepping into a trap. Once snails gather near the grapefruit, collect them and eliminate them from the garden.

Copper is a material that is inherently repellant to snails. In contact with copper, snails experience a mild shock, which they interpret as a threat. This leads them to abandon their route and search for another area to reside. Therefore, if you are looking to shield your plants from snails, consider investing in self-adhesive copper foil. Adhere this to your fences, pots, or the edge of plant pots that house plants to which snails are attracted. Such a copper 'barrier' effectively discourages snails from encroaching on these areas. It is safe and is considered a humane strategy for safeguarding crops against pests.