Nature’s Clean-Up Crews and Recyclers
Generally regarded as a garden pest and nuisance slugs and snails are actually nature’s ‘clean up’ crews and recyclers. They do a valuable job in the garden and are part of a healthy garden ecosystem helping to break down organic matter, like decaying plant matter, fallen leaves and organic debris, recycling nutrients by consuming decaying material and fungi, which speeds up nutrients like potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus back into the soil, plus they are a valuable food source for local wildlife including birds, lizards, frogs, and beneficial insects. The empty snail shells can also serve as shelters or egg laying chambers for solitary bees.
When Slugs and Snails Become a Problem
Unfortunately both slugs and snails are not so welcome when they start feasting on seedlings, soft stemmed plants, vegetables and fruit, leaving ragged holes and slimy trails.
Natural Ways to Manage Slugs and Snails
Rather than trying to eradicate them completely, which will break the food chain, it is preferable to manage them by handpicking them at dusk and removing to a different location, or using natural barriers like copper tape or beer traps consisting of a small bowl sunk into the soil filled with beer (or wine) which will lure these slimy predators to a boozy end!
Prepare the Soil Before Planting
Preparing the ground before planting by raking the soil finely and evenly will deprive snails of hiding places to lay their eggs. Hoe the top layer of soil regularly.
Use Natural Mulches and Barriers
When using mulch over the soil try whole comfrey leaves which have a rough texture and deters the snail from gliding over them. Sawdust, spread around vulnerable plants in a thick ring will slow the snails movement, crushed egg shells, which also naturally balance acid soil conditions, peanut shells, pine bark for flower beds, coarse gravel around a vegetable patch.
Plant Aromatic Herbs
Snails also hate the scent of mint, parsley, sage, basil and lavender so plant these among flower borders and vegetable plots.
Avoid Harmful Commercial Deterrents
Avoid at all costs using commercial slug and snail deterrents as they are very harmful to wildlife and pets.
Encourage a Natural Balance in Your Garden
Be patient, be prepared to lose a few plants, but gradually by encouraging friendly wildlife to the garden a natural balance will be created and a healthy ecosystem established.
Village Gardens is an established landscaping and garden design company in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs, creating beautiful outdoor spaces that balance aesthetics, practicality and environmental sustainability.
Their expertise includes water-wise landscapes, indigenous gardens, edible gardens and outdoor spaces designed to attract and support local wildlife.