I have NEVER seen so many snails in my garden as I have seen this year! They’ve eaten my hostas and marigolds to shreds! This afternoon, I checked my zucchini and picked four off. Tonight, I went through the flower beds that I have along the front of my house, and found over 30 snails! (We’re not talking little ones either. If I had known someone with a French restaurant, I’m sure I could have sold these for a good price.)
I told one of my neighbors that I couldn’t bring myself to kill them, and that I had just been setting them out on the street gutter (and telling them to RUN!). She in turn told me that she’s seen the neighborhood kids putting them BACK on my grass to save them from joggers, bikes, dogs, cars, and other kids. We’ve since shown to the kids what these little guys do to our flowerbeds. They didn’t know–they were saving the snails.
My aunt told me that garlic is supposed to be good at repelling snails, so I dissolved some garlic powder in the water I normally use to fertilize my flowers. We’ll have to see how that goes. (If nothing else, when I find a French restaurant to sell these babies to, they’ll be pre-seasoned!) Another neighbor suggested putting out a small pan of beer. I’ve never bought beer before, so I’m not exactly sure if there’s a science to selecting beer for snails. I’ll have to post again on how the garlic works and whether or not we end up giving beer a try. If anyone else has any tips on getting rid of snails (or a great recipe for escargot) please let me know!
