Tomato Facts

Snails are a problem almost everywhere. If you live in humid climate, they will be unrelenting. Even in relatively dry areas snails and slugs can be found early in the morning.

If the leaves on your otherwise healthy plants look like swiss cheese, you'll know snails have come to call. Those nasty slugs can sneak in when you aren't looking. The trail of slimy goo left behind becomes a sign for every other snail around to follow to the feast.

Searching for the snails is frustrating. They have silently returned to their homes to make baby slugs. The snails will continue making baby slugs their whole lives, never slowing. They hatch in 10-20 days, and come out starving! Voracious eaters, they can be full grown and making their own babies within 6 weeks.

Tiny clusters of snail eggs are just daring you to find them.. Quick! A handfull of salt will do the trick. They will be destroyed before they hatch.

Snails grow larger as they eat. They live for several years and never stop growing as they eat. Like people, the more they eat the fatter they grow, so it's important to get rid of them as fast as you can.

Gardening in a backyard greenhouse can be a deterrent to snails and slugs. If you're thinking of buying a polycarbonate greenhouse snails will have a harder time getting to your precious plants.

They can creep in when you're not looking however, and lay their little egg sacs inside.Follow the slimy trail that they leave in their wake! Track them down to the dark, damp corners of your greenhouse. They can hide everywhere. Don't give up.

Whenever you find any, you have many weapons you can use.

Oat bran does not do well in their digestive tract and will kill them when they eat it.

Cracked eggshells will cut the snails as they slime their way across the sharp edges.

Snails and slugs aren't too bright. They love the smell of beer but they can't swim. Put bowls of beer around your plants and the snails will fall in and drown.

If you plant certain herbs they will repel snails and slugs. Choose your herbs wisely and in the close quarters of your greenhouse, snails and slugs will stay away. Thyme, lemon balm, rosemary, lavender and mint should be part of your arsenal.

Toxic chemicals will never be necessary if you always attack the snails before they get out of hand. Plant sufficient herbs in your greenhouse and most snails will run away. If you get a serious infestation however and need to take drastic measures, use all the above solutions at the same time. You will never need to use poison.

If all else fails, buy a small green house and perhaps buy a duck or two. Hedgehogs and ducks love tasty snail meat.