Snails & Slugs

Identification and Control

• Decollate Snails The predatory decollate snail, is a small land snail of southern European, North African origin — from the areas around the Mediterranean Sea — that attacks and kills slugs, Decollates also eat old leaf mulch but they do not eat healthy plants.
• Deadline Slug & Snail Killer Provides 3-4 times greater control of slugs and snails, five times greater pellet distribution compared to standard pelleted baits, and is rain resistant
• Diatomaceous Earth is the fossilized remains of single-celled creatures called diatoms. Each fossil has sharp edges that irritate and deter soft-bodied insects. Material abraids the exoskeleton of insects, causing dehydration and death. Effective on roaches, silverfish, ants, fleas, slugs and most other insects.
• Rosemary, and wormwood. are said to repel these pests.

Slugs and snails like to feed on young seedlings and succulent parts of plants. They leave a trail of mucus on the surfaces on which they crawl. Moist, humid environments favor slug development, and slugs usually overwinter in sheltered locations outdoors, They are a bothersome pest in many garden and landscape situations. There are many species of slugs and snails , too numerous to list here.

Snails & Slugs move by gliding along on a muscular underside muscle which constantly secretes mucus. This mucus later dries to form the silvery "slime trail" that signals the presence of either pest.  Snails & Slugs are most active at night and on overcast days. They seek shelter from sunlight and heat of day. They may lay eggs up to six times a year. It takes about 2 years for snails to mature. Slugs reach maturity after about 3 to 6 months, depending on species, and lay clear oval to round eggs in batches of up to 40 in protected areas.

Snails & Slugs feed on a variety of live and decaying plant matter.. On plants they chew irregular holes with smooth edges in leaves and flowers and can clip succulent plant parts. They have also been known chew fruit and berries. They are notorious pests of seedlings and of ripening fruits, particularly those growing close to the ground.

Snails and slugs have many natural enemies, including ground beetles, , snakes, toads, turtles, and birds, but none are effective enough to provide satisfactory control in the garden.
 Decollate snails are extremely effective in controlling common garden slugs and I would recommend their usage before traps and pesticides. Decollate snails will be killed by snail baits.