If you've scattered swan plant seeds in your garden, are you wondering what is happening to the seedlings? Or, perhaps you're wondering what is nibbling at the epidermis of the stem, sometimes ringbarking the plant and killing it?
It might be a good idea to go out one moonlight night (or take a torch) and see what is happening in your garden. When I did this a few years ago I found so many snails and slugs feasting on my plants during the night. The molluscs were all gathered up and fed to the birds the next day.
This was my haul!
There are many other suggestions for controlling slugs and snails, such as scattering spent coffee grounds, egg shells, sea shells, diatomaceous earth, wool waste or creating beer traps, grapefruit "igloos" and using copper tape. Then there's slug repellents. What method do you use?
I use Quash as it is not harmful to pets, although it has to be reapplied after rain. I have used crushed eggshells but the snails went straight over them - the food was too tempting.
Snails and slugs do not like sand, so I sprinkle it liberally around the base of the plants. Also make sure the leaves are not touching any fences etc.
Kia Ora koutou ! My husband Peter and I go for a regular evening walk about the garden with a torch in rubber-gloved hand and a container of salted water to chuck the slugs and snails. The aim is instant death to mostly slugs and some snails. Gloves work a treat as I find the slug-slime repellant. We also found out that slugs and snails control their own population size. We’ll deal with that situation pretty shortly. Any tips?