Controlling Snails & Slugs
Snails, slugs and the like are freaky little creatures that can destroy your garden. But chances are that you already know that. What you may not know is that both snails and slugs carry diseases that can be transferred onto your organic vegetables. Then you and your family members eat these vegetables and run the risk of contracting these diseases.
In fact, it’s estimated that almost 200 million people are infected each year. In biology, this is referred to as being schistosome infected. These diseases can, at a minimum, make you very ill and in many cases, they can be fatal.
This is one reason that it’s important to wash your vegetables. But you can’t always fully remove these microscopic organisms so the ideal defense is to have a professional pest control company put a barrier around your garden – being careful to avoid your organic vegetables. The invisible barriers we put in place prevent the pests from entering your garden without contaminating your garden with pesticides.
Most often you can find slugs and snails during the cooler parts of the day and often after heavy rains. They’re a moist creature that needs to avoid sunlight so they don’t dry out. When snails are allowed to thrive in your yard, they can lay as much as 86 eggs every month – quickly turning into a massive infestation if left unchecked.
FAQ About Snails
Below are some of our most asked questions about snails including what they eat, habits, and more.
What are the dietary habits of snails
Snails vary in what they eat depending on the part of the world you’re in. In Modesto and the Central Valley, we get snails that eat vegetables and foliage. This means they enjoy feeding on stems, green leaves, and fruit/vegetables. This is why they’re such a common issue in gardens and even large commercial level crops. If given time, snails will reproduce and eat everything in sight. In addition to vegetation, they will sometimes feed on fungus and algae for nutrients.
When are snails most active
Snails are a wet creature that can’t be exposed to high heat or direct sunlight. For this reason, they’re primarily spotted in the shade and generally feed in the early morning or evening.
How do snails reproduce?
Snails are hermaphrodites, meaning they can be either male or female at any time. Since they contain both the male and female reproductive organs, they can reproduce and lay eggs on their own. On average, snails can lay as many as 86 eggs every month.
Are there any natural predators?
The most common predators of snails include centipedes, salamanders, squirrels, and rats.
How long do snails live?
On average snails live for about 5 years (assuming they’re not killed by a predator or dried out in the sun). Some species can live as long as 25 years though.