Eco way to kill snails and slugs

[posalie]

I posted this earlier in Chat and was sent here to find the real experts 😊

What's an eco way to kill snails and slugs? We inherited a beautiful garden, and it's just full of snails (and some slugs) at the moment. The previous owner had lots of slug pellets and similar, but we're worried these will also harm hedgehogs and other wildlife. Is there an eco way to kill them?

(I know some people prefer not to kill them at all, but I need to kill them I'm afraid.)

https://ladybirdplantcare.co.uk/pages/i

Wool, sharp grit, nematodes, picking the little buggers up and launching them into a nearby field.

Mostly though just planting stuff they don’t like or which can withstand the damage- my rudbeckia herbstsonnes look pretty threadbare at the moment but will still be 2m tall by summer- and planting vulnerable stuff in protected pots (copper bands, grit to mulch, deep water dishes)

I spray it on the plants they like to munch, new ones that are being established. I do it as and when I remember. Probably weekly, and if it’s rained heavily. Once the plants are established you don’t tend to have to bother. Unless it’s something really tasty. Then it’s weekly or so.

This seems to be pretty effective for pots:

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07QVGZRTF?ref=ppxpt22mobbbprod_image

I also use these:

smile.amazon.co.uk/SlugLess®-Safe-Organic-Snail-Deterrent/dp/B07R1Y9JS2/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1CXIE3A305TT3&keywords=slugless&qid=1652225311&sprefix=slug+less%2Caps%2C64&sr=8-3

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Strulch-Mineralised-Straw-100L-Garden/dp/B074J8RDLT/ref=mpssa114?crid=QSO8UTID8WF8&keywords=strulch+mulch&qid=1652225341&sprefix=stru%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-4

Going to dry to garlic wash too, thanks @EvilPea !

The slug war is a constant battle.

Where do you get garlic wash?

The Norman Thelwell method, obviously.

You make it.

it’s honestly amazing
www.siennahosta.co.uk/pages/garlic-wash-recipe

Can you make a batch, bottle it and use over a month?

I’ve been using the same bottle since last spring

Going to try the garlic wash, thank you @EvilPea

Used to be the mumsnet scarf used to identify a mumsnetter.
now it’s the slight whiff of garlic!

hope it serves you well

I've been pondering this myself as our garden is filled with snails, not so many slugs but definitely lots of snails. We do however get quite a few hedgehogs in the garden, so I didn't know if I should leave the snails for them. I don't use any chemicals in the garden so would definitely only use something like a beer trap if I did decide to kill them. I also am guilty of finding snails quite sweet and the idea of killing them does make me feel very guilty 😥

Since feeding the birds regularly I have a lot less slugs and snails.

A hedgehog visits as well.

One year had flying ants which were all over the patio one evening, after a couple of hours a frog or toad (not sure) turned up. Left it to get on with dealing with them.

Weeded yesterday with my long handled hoe but left tidying the piles until the birds had gone over it. I must remember to pick those weed piles up this week.

Any slugs and snails wandering around on my main path get a sprinkle of salt, treading on them goes through me so I salt those that could get under my feet. Every year there are less of them.

Thank you. I'm about to give this a go and stink up the house 😆.
Holding thumbs it'll work. The snails in my garden are voracious!

I throw mine over the river, its a wildlife sanctuary on the other side so hopefully they are much happier there anyway

Not hire but if you’ve got a local hedgehog rescue they will be looking for safe release sites for them once they’re back to health. Gardens with holes under the fence, source of water and food (or if you’re prepared to be offer those things) and places to hide and safely sleep will be sought after. They’ll do a great job on the slugs and snails.

I have had success with nematodes, but they are expensive and you have to re apply 6 weeks later.

To be honest I have just decided it's easiest to concentrate on planting and growing things they don't eat!

For things that do attract snails I put them in pots or raised beds that are easier to protect, I can make sure they get a good dose of the nematodes, I use a mix of deterrents like gravel, copper tape and beer traps in those places as appropriate.

Ive got some sheeps wool slug pellets from Sarah Raven this year but haven't tried them yet.

I actually lots of sheep's wool (another project...) - can I make my own pellets I wonder?

We inherited two pots which I've recently discovered include hostas. They are absolutely ravaged.

I can’t see why putting proper unspun wool round wouldn’t work. The pellets just dissolve after rain / watering into a wool mat, so surely it’s just the same??

i have no actual experience of this, but it’s worth a shot if you have it just knocking about?

I really hope it works… and doesn’t stink your house out too much!!

good luck.

Beer and nematodes.

My garden is heaving with slugs.
I deal with it by not planting things they eat.
Also this year I have used a straw mulch which seems to have made a difference.

Aren’t nematodes harmful to hedgehogs ? I’ve just had a hog returned from a wildlife rescue , and I’m sure the chap mentioned parasitic nematodes, probably from hog eating slugs / snails which apparently they only do if they’re starving.