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Original poster

Who helps snails

138 replies

Finlesswonder · 03/08/2023 20:58

My garden has loads of snails and I help them along their path. If I see a baby snail wandering along the concrete I teleport it to a plant. Today there was a snail at the very tip of a very long leaf, so it was basically upside down. I could see it stretching it's eyes down as far as it could to try and get down to the ground beneath it, and it was coming so close but couldn't quite make it. I wasn't sure whether it would have the ability to U-turn on such a long fragile leaf, so I pressed down higher up the leaf with my finger so it could finally make contact with the ground and go on its merry way.

Does anyone else do this? I was also wondering whether it does them more harm than good to gently pull them off whatever they're on. And also, if a snail lands on its back, can it right itself?

OP posts:
palooka47 · 03/08/2023 21:20

Yes. I do this. I'm also extra careful when it is the kind of weather that means lots of them are on the floor. I move them out of paths and if I ever DO stand on one I'm heartbroken! They're essential for nature and although I do grow veg, I deter rather than kill them. I also keep lots of natural flora around for them (& other small creatures) don't pull weeds up often etc.

LifeofBrienne · 03/08/2023 21:20

I like the stripy yellow and brown ones, don’t often see them though.

itsmyp4rty · 03/08/2023 21:21

I save worms on concrete. I also save bugs that fall in the pond.

JaneJeffer · 03/08/2023 21:21

Did you know that snails have a homing instinct? I only found this out some time after I found a live snail in a bag of Tesco salad and then felt sad because I am in the west of Ireland and he/she was from Kildare which is a long way from my garden as the snail crawls.

SweetBirdsong · 03/08/2023 21:21

ColonelRhubarbBikini · 03/08/2023 21:10

I thought I was in a small minority of people who do this. Glad to hear more do. I also leave a teaspoon of sugar water next to bees that lie exhausted on the path.

I did get rumbled once talking away to a snail. It was early in the morning on my commute and I rescued him from the pavement and was having a little chat with him about which bush looked best and that there was rain forecast for later so he’d like that and some dude I didn’t see was looking at me like I was completely off my head Blush

Awwwww. 😆 That's so sweet!

SweetBirdsong · 03/08/2023 21:23

Mothercareyschickens · 03/08/2023 21:12

Snails eat my vegetables, so I help them over the fence into the neighbours's gardens

😂

AllTheOtherCats · 03/08/2023 21:23

Yep. I always do this and worms too. Poor little things 🐌🪱

Bruisername · 03/08/2023 21:23

I love snails but would never go Patricia highsmith with them

JibbaJab · 03/08/2023 21:24

Yeah I help most things if I can, snails too. Although, stepped on one last night in the dark and as I moved in reaction I stepped on another one. 😣

Jewelanemone · 03/08/2023 21:24

IaltagDhubh · 03/08/2023 21:16

I misread that as ‘released the odd lesbian from unused pots’. For a moment I had the most delightful image of wild lesbians frolicking in your garden and occasionally getting stuck on flowerpots! 😆 I need new glasses…

Show quote history

😆 Well, I'd be very happy to help the odd lesbian too, if the occasion required it!

BotterMon · 03/08/2023 21:25

You have to slide them backwards if they're out so as not to damage them or tap shell and wait for them to go back in their 'house'.

I moved one just this evening. Put it on my virginia creeper which needs a good trim!

Whatwouldscullydo · 03/08/2023 21:26

I'm not alone. Thank god. Always had a soft spot for snails as a kid and I still.love them now. I always apologise to them if I stand on them too. I feel awful of I hear that crunch.

Murpe · 03/08/2023 21:28

Snails love my hosta, but the deal I have with them is that when I move them off, I cut off and give them a few of the most-munched leaves so they've got a snack at their new location. I haven't the heart to move the very baby snails off as their shells look so fragile, so they just nibble away. My hosta doesn't look great tbh.

Soubriquet · 03/08/2023 21:29

Could you imagine the poor snails face if you had put her back where she came from instead of where she was going?

”I’ve been trying to get to that side for the last hour!!! Why the fuck have you put me back!” Grin

Oysterbabe · 03/08/2023 21:31

I help them by launching them as far as I can throw them into someone else's plot.

ExitThroughTheGiftShop · 03/08/2023 21:32

I say good morning/afternoon to them. Is that enough? I tend to leave them on their snaily path.

thespy · 03/08/2023 21:32

Yep, I help them into next door who have a lovely abandoned wilderness ...

BrokeAsABone · 03/08/2023 21:32

Yes I always help them. Was doing some gardening today and found lots. Lifted them out of the way to safety so I wouldn't trod on them. I lift slugs when I see them on the road out walking in case a car drives over them.

JaneJeffer · 03/08/2023 21:34

I am picturing all these neighbours putting snails back and forth to each other's gardens.

Moomindroll · 03/08/2023 21:34

palooka47 · 03/08/2023 21:20

Yes. I do this. I'm also extra careful when it is the kind of weather that means lots of them are on the floor. I move them out of paths and if I ever DO stand on one I'm heartbroken! They're essential for nature and although I do grow veg, I deter rather than kill them. I also keep lots of natural flora around for them (& other small creatures) don't pull weeds up often etc.

Got to ask, how do you deter them, because every vegetable I’ve planted for three years has been solidly munched by what can only be described as an army of the buggers!

Also, throwing them over to your neighbours doesn’t work because they can home for more than a mile.

Help me please because the beer is calling me…

Marmunia10667 · 03/08/2023 21:34

Yes, absolutely I help all living things!

Singleandproud · 03/08/2023 21:35

Moving snails before they retract can disconnect them from their shell and they die a painful death a few days later - push them forwards gently or tap the shell so the retract first.

I do help snails but I also have a pond full of frogs, the snails live the wild sorrel and teasels in my garden. I did count 50 of them on the side of my shed one drizzly day and another 200+ on the grass so might be helping a bit too much.

Seasideanticscanleadtosandybuckets · 03/08/2023 21:36

I helped the Wright bros of the snail world into ndn's garden today...

JaneJeffer · 03/08/2023 21:36

Crushed eggshells @Moomindroll or a step of copper stuff you can get in garden centres

FloorWipes · 03/08/2023 21:36

Yes I do this

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