Slugs and snails can be a pain, particularly during the rainy season. If you live in a warm subtropical region, you’re likely to face them year-round. These pesky creatures can cause havoc on your plants and produce. They thrive in densely planted gardens, orchards, and areas with many pots and polybags supplying shade and moisture. Though they usually stay hidden during the day, they become active in the evening and early morning.
During the rainy season, they’re active in the daytime because of the humidity. Slugs and snails eat leaves and soft fruits. They target low-hanging fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, and figs. They can even climb buildings and trees, leaving slimy evidence of their presence to feast on tender leaves.
Managing Slug And Snail Infestations
Homemade Remedies
“When it comes to controlling pests, a proactive approach is best. Clearing weeds around the garden can help control pests like slugs and snails, which can multiply quickly and attack crops in the neighbourhood. During the hot season, overgrown plants can be trimmed, and weeds cleared to expose pests to hot, dry weather.
To remove slugs and snails, they can be picked off the plants and heaped in one place where salt or saltwater can kill them or drowned in beer traps made with overripe fruits or beer. Homemade sprays using chilli powder or oil in water can also be used on plants and pots but may not be ideal for walls as they can cause stains with oil formulations. Remember to use salt in moderation to avoid harming young plants.”
Store-Bought Remedies
Store-bought remedies, such as metaldehyde products like Snailban pallets by Efekto, are excellent for controlling slugs and snails. They are long-lasting and very effective, with high pest clearance rates. However, crops may not be edible or harvestable for a few days after spreading the pallets. Additionally, they can be harmful to pets and young children. Efekto also produces a more environmentally friendly snail/slug bait called Zero Snail.
Multiguard offers an iron-based snail and slug killer in spray form, while copper tape can be used as a preventive measure by surrounding plants or buildings. Care should be taken when using these products, and the instructions should be followed for best results.