Slugs and snails appear in our gardens all the time - there's just no stopping them! While they may look like harmless, slimy little creatures, they can actually do quite a bit of damage to your lawn if they're left to roam freely.
Slugs and snails both feed on a combination of dead and living plant matter. Your new lawn shoots are a particularly delicious snack, so it's important that you get them under control if you see a sudden influx.
More often than not, slugs and snails appear during the wetter months because they favour moist conditions. As you can imagine a healthy damp lawn in the springtime is a garden of Eden for slugs and snails.
Dealing with slugs and snails in your lawn
Getting rid of slugs and snails by hand
A lot of gardeners will advise you to tackle slug and snail problems by hand. This involves picking each slug and snail up and moving it off your lawn. Of course, this method is very time-consuming (especially if you have a bigger lawn) and slugs and snails often find their way back anyway.
The melon method
There are some natural remedies you can use to deter slugs and snails from setting up camp on your lawn. The first method is to take a slice of melon with the rind and place it on your lawn. The sweet flesh of the melon will attract the slugs and snails. Once they're all grouped together you can move them all in one go, saving you precious time.
Make your lawn less appealing
When it comes to deterring slugs and snails, you can make your lawn much less appealing by doing the following:
- Keeping your lawn aerated. The less moisture there is, the less likely they'll swarm to your lawn.
- Create a prickly barrier. If you've ever touched a slug or snail, you'll know they have soft bodies. A prickly barrier can be enough to keep them off your lawn.
- Use copper tape. Copper tape reacts with the trail of slime that slugs and snails leave behind wherever they go. Every time they come close to your lawn they'll receive a little electric shock that'll keep them at bay.
Preventing slugs and snails from returning to your lawn
Once your lawn is free of slugs and snails - you'll probably want to keep it that way! Here are some preventative measures you can take to make sure these mischievous molluscs don't return.
- Use a garden rake to remove some of the moist debris in your lawn in early spring. This will also help to remove some of the small eggs that have been laid on the surface.
- Encourage other wildlife including birds and frogs into your garden. These predators will help keep the number of slugs and snails at bay.
- Try planting species like chervil and thyme in the border of your lawn. These plants are natural deterrents for slugs and snails.
So, in conclusion - yes, slugs and snails are bad for your lawn and your surrounding plants if they're left unchecked. Thankfully, there are lots of different ways you can tackle an infestation. To find out about our lawn pest control services click the button below. For more information, give us a call on 0800 111 4958.
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