Gardening

katiesue · 04-18-2012, 07:02 PM

Looks like we needed a gardening thread.

My issue is snails, I think. They're devouring my lemon tree, pepper plant and hibiscus. And they munch a bit on the apple tree. Any ideas on how to get them to stop?

Ghoulish Delight · 04-18-2012, 07:25 PM

Shallow plastic plate filled with cheap beer.

alphabassettgrrl · 04-18-2012, 08:09 PM

Encourage possums (they eat snails, though they will also eat vegetation); pick off snails and squish 'em or toss them in the trash (to get squished by the truck); or yeah, plate with beer.

Kevy Baby · 04-18-2012, 09:41 PM

Chop down the trees

€uroMeinke · 04-18-2012, 10:25 PM

2nd the beer suggestion - been successful with that before

RStar · 04-19-2012, 12:15 AM

Some of the damage you describe is not typical of snails. They usually don't climb real high into the trees, or even bushes like hybiscus. It sounds like (and usually is) more than one pest. The hard to reach leaf chewing is often done by grasshoppers or locusts, and other than hitting them over the head with a hammer, there is not much you can do that won't also poison you. Catapillars are another suspect, and there are some good products you can use on fruits and veggies that are safe. Spending time in the garden and watching the wildlife is the best way to see what is going on.

To figure out the snails/slugs, go out with a flashlight as late at night or early in the morning when its dark, that's when they are out. You can then see what they are up to, and you can simply pick them up at that time. The plated of beer or traps made to be used with beer are one way, but I have had good luck with deadline. What ever you choose, be diligent. I have, and I haven't had a snail in years.

Good luck!

lashbear · 04-19-2012, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Shallow plastic plate filled with cheap beer.

Doesn't have to be cheap - it just has to be dreadful. Any American beer will do.

RStar · 04-19-2012, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lashbear

Doesn't have to be cheap - it just has to be dreadful. Any American beer will do.

I tried Fosters lager once, the snails quit eating the plants! I did find that they were throwing shrimp on the barby instead, which was just as annoying.

Ghoulish Delight · 04-19-2012, 08:06 AM

Fosters. Australian for Budweiser.

Betty · 04-19-2012, 08:28 AM

Get a bird feeder near the tree and the birds will help eat the bugs.

04-18-2012, 07:02 PM	#1
katiesue Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 4,678	Gardening Looks like we needed a gardening thread. My issue is snails, I think. They're devouring my lemon tree, pepper plant and hibiscus. And they munch a bit on the apple tree. Any ideas on how to get them to stop? __________________ My life is so exciting I can hardly stand it.
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04-18-2012, 07:25 PM	#2
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Shallow plastic plate filled with cheap beer. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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04-18-2012, 08:09 PM	#3
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	Encourage possums (they eat snails, though they will also eat vegetation); pick off snails and squish 'em or toss them in the trash (to get squished by the truck); or yeah, plate with beer. __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
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04-18-2012, 09:41 PM	#4
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	Chop down the trees __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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04-18-2012, 10:25 PM	#5
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	2nd the beer suggestion - been successful with that before __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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04-19-2012, 12:15 AM	#6
RStar Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Me & Manyard hangin out! Posts: 5,433	Some of the damage you describe is not typical of snails. They usually don't climb real high into the trees, or even bushes like hybiscus. It sounds like (and usually is) more than one pest. The hard to reach leaf chewing is often done by grasshoppers or locusts, and other than hitting them over the head with a hammer, there is not much you can do that won't also poison you. Catapillars are another suspect, and there are some good products you can use on fruits and veggies that are safe. Spending time in the garden and watching the wildlife is the best way to see what is going on. To figure out the snails/slugs, go out with a flashlight as late at night or early in the morning when its dark, that's when they are out. You can then see what they are up to, and you can simply pick them up at that time. The plated of beer or traps made to be used with beer are one way, but I have had good luck with deadline. What ever you choose, be diligent. I have, and I haven't had a snail in years. Good luck! __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! www.StarTownGifts.com
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04-19-2012, 08:06 AM	#9
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Fosters. Australian for Budweiser. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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04-19-2012, 08:28 AM	#10
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	Get a bird feeder near the tree and the birds will help eat the bugs. __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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