Snails & Slugs

Snails and Slugs are not classed as pests and The Isle of Wight Council does not provide a pest control service. However, if you consider that you require assistance you may wish to contact one of the Isle of Wight Council Approved Pest Control Contractors.
Click here for a list of the Council’s Approved Pest Control Contractors

If in doubt telephone your local Environmental Health Department. Tel: 01983 823000.

Identification:

Snails and slugs are among the most bothersome irritation in many gardens. The brown garden snail (helix aspersa) is the most common snail causing problems in gardens.

Snails and slugs move by gliding along on a muscular “foot”. This muscle constantly secrets mucus, which later dries to form the silvery “slime trail” that signals their presence.

Snails and Slugs are hermaphrodites, so they all have the potential to lay eggs. Adult brown garden snails lay about 80 spherical pearly white eggs at a time into a hole in the topsoil. They may lay eggs about six times a year and it takes about 2 years for snails to mature. Slugs reach maturity after about 3 to 6 months, depending on species, and lay clear oval to round eggs in batches of 3 to 40 under leaves, in soil cracks, and in other protected areas.

Snails and Slugs are most active at night and on cloudy or foggy days. On sunny days they seek hiding places out of the heat and bright light. Often the only clues to their presence are their silvery trails and plant damage. During cold weather, snails and slugs hibernate in the topsoil and can seal themselves off with a parchment like membrane often found attached to tree trunks, fences or walls.

Damage.

Snails and Slugs feed on a variety of living plants as well as on decaying plant matter. On plants they chew irregular holes with smooth edges in leaves and flowers and can clip succulent plant parts. They can also chew fruit and young plant bark. Look for the silvery mucous trails to confirm damage was caused by slugs or snails and not earwigs, caterpillars or other chewing insects.

Management.

A good snail and slug management programme relies on a combination of methods. The first step is to eliminate all places where snails and slugs can hide during the day. Boards, stones, debris, weedy areas around tree trunks leafy branches growing close to the ground and dense ground covers such as ivy are ideal sheltering spots. Reducing hiding places allows fewer snails and slugs to survive. Copper barriers can be useful for protecting susceptible plants. Handpicking can be very effective if done thoroughly on a regular basis.

Traps and Barriers.

Snails and slugs can be trapped under boards or flower pots positioned throughout the garden. Inverted melon rinds make good traps. You can make traps from boards raised off the ground by 1 inch runners - this makes it easy for them to crawl underneath. Scrape off the snails and slugs and destroy them. Beer baited traps have been used but only attract the snails and slugs from within an area of only a few feet.

Copper barriers are effective because it is thought the copper reacts with the slime, secreted by the snail or slug, causing a flow of electricity.

BAITS.

Snail and slug baits can be effective when used in conjunction with a cultural program incorporating the other methods discussed above. Several types of snail and slug bait products are available and it is recommended you follow the instructions for use carefully.

For more information regarding this Leaflet please contact:

Environmental Health Service

Jubilee Stores

The Quay

Newport

Isle of Wight

PO30 2EH

Telephone: 01983 823000

Facsimile: 01983 529804

Page last updated on: 30/08/2007