How to Get Rid of Garden Snails

Snails can multiply rapidly.

Garden snails, also referred to as land snails, can be a nuisance. They chew holes in plants and leave slimy trails all over your garden. They have the potential to lay eggs--as many as 480 per year, reports the University of California. Consequently, get rid of snails as soon as possible before they completely take over your garden.

Instructions

1. Populate your garden with sharp objects. When snails are cut, they release mucus and die. Thus, many gardeners place egg shells, tree bark and other sharp objects around their garden to get rid of snails.

2. Make your garden less inviting. Because snails prefer moist, shady areas, discourage them from invading your garden by removing debris (particularly wet leaves), weeds and anything else that creates a moist and shady home for snails. In addition, consider switching from sprinkler irrigation to drip irrigation, which will reduce humidity and moist surfaces.

3. Spread iron phosphate around your garden. Iron phosphate, sold in pellet form by several brands including Sluggo, kills snails when ingested. Moreover, iron phosphate pellets will not dissolve in rain, according to the website Get Rid of Things.

4. Spread coffee grounds, salt or builder's sand around your garden. If you would rather not use chemicals, these natural substances kill snails just as well, recommends Family Matters.

5. Grow plants that are unappealing to snails. While you may not want to retool your entire garden, there are several plants that snails are known to avoid. These include day lilies, freesia, balm, red cabbage, daffodils, mint, leaf lettuce, basil, parsley, sage, pumpkin and endive.

References

• Get Rid of Things: How to Get Rid of Snails
• Family Matters: How to Get Rid of Snails and Slugs
• University of California: Snails and Slugs