The rise of snails and the fight to save our gardens

Their presence in a garden can spell trouble. Despite their small stature, they can wreak havoc in a garden, as many gardeners can attest.

Snails gravitate towards areas with tall grass, such as our teeming gardens. These invertebrates also delight in damp spots where they can find sustenance. They feed on plant shoots and stems, as well as small insects. Thus, our gardens serve as a paradise for them, and they're reluctant to leave. Unfortunately, snails have voracious appetites. When they locate a plant they can feast on, nothing distracts them. They pose a serious threat not only to individual plants but also to the entire crop.

Despite snails' painfully slow speed, their reproduction rate is alarmingly high. The real problem isn't merely two snails in the garden - just a handful more can pose a real risk of an invasive outbreak, grave danger to the plants. To prevent this, it's crucial to deter these pests from the garden. There's no instant need for potent chemicals; a common household breakfast item can do the trick: egg shells.

How can you use egg shells to deter snails? Simply boil eggs and peel them. Then, crush the shells. Spread the crushed shells around vulnerable plants. Don't hold back on their use - they're also an excellent way to nourish the soil, as eggshells can reduce soil pH, which many plants benefit from. The pulverized shells make it challenging for snails to reach the plants, discouraging their foraging activities. Consequently, they'll rapidly vacate the garden in search of a preferable habitat.