Cultural control of snails

There are a number of ways to control snail populations in the garden.

- Allow small, vulnerable seedlings more time to grow before planting out in the garden.

-  In winter, turn over likely hiding places to expose snails for thrushes and other birds to feed on. 

-  Use snail traps around vulnerable plants. Scooped-out citrus rinds or jars filled with beer sunk into the soil are effective. Check and empty these regularly, preferably every morning.

- Create or purchase barriers. Snails dislike travelling over rough or sharply-textures mulches. Copper barriers like cooper tape may deter snails from climbing into pots or up stems. 

- On mild, damp evenings go out with a torch and hand-pick snails into a container.