Gastropoda

What are Snails and Slugs?  

Slugs and snails are members of the very large Mollusc family. Technically, that means they're soft bodied animals that all have a broad, muscular 'foot' for moving around. Most have rasping mouthparts called a 'radula', that can do some serious damage to plants when they feed. Some molluscs form a shell, the rest don't have one.

They prefer moist environments and live off decaying animal matter, algae, and plant material such as leaves and stems. Slugs and snails are most active on cool, wet nights with high humidity.

 

Symptoms

Silvery trails which can dry to appear like gold dust. These trails are the mucus they secrete in order to move. Look out for holes in the leaves of plants and seedlings chewed off at the base.

 

How to protect your plants

Remove hiding places like rocks, pots and pipes if they're close to your garden plants. Check and bait any protected, moist areas that they can use as shelter during the day. 

 

Plants impacted

  • Begonias
  • Nasturtiums
  • Lilies
  • Brassicas
  • Lettuce

 

 


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