Q: I have snails in my flower garden, and they even find their way up into my flower pots. Will they harm my plants, and if so how can I get rid of them? I’ve been picking them off and stepping on them, but I need to check each day to see if there are any more.
A: Snails, like slugs, are a bothersome pest — they can destroy young plants. You are doing the right thing and short of handpicking them, you can try diatomaceous earth. It’s a white abrasive powder made from ground-up fossilized shells of small sea creatures. It punctures holes in the skins or shells of many insects and caterpillars, including snails and slugs. However, it also kills bees, so use in the early morning, before flowers open. You may need to re-apply it after heavy rains. You could also eliminate hiding places, such as dark, shady places like branches on the ground. Larger jar lids containing some beer should attract and eliminate them. Place the lid right on ground level and clean them up in the morning, as slugs and snails will only travel at night.
Hope this helps,
Astrid Strader, horticulturist,
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
