How to Get Rid of Snails on Silver Dollar Plant

Snails can be a nuisance for gardeners, especially when they start munching on your beloved plants. One plant that is particularly attractive to snails is the silver dollar plant (Lunaria annua). With its large, round leaves and delicate flowers, it’s no wonder snails find it irresistible. If you’re struggling with snails on your silver dollar plant, fear not! In this article, we will explore different methods to get rid of snails and protect your plant.

Understanding the Snail Problem

Before we delve into the solutions, it’s important to understand why snails are attracted to silver dollar plants in the first place. Snails are attracted to moisture, shade, and plants with broad leaves. The silver dollar plant fits this criteria perfectly, making it an ideal target for these slimy pests.

Snails typically feed at night, leaving behind slimy trails and chewed leaves. If you notice these telltale signs on your silver dollar plant, it’s time to take action.

Handpicking

One of the simplest and most effective methods to control snails on your silver dollar plant is handpicking. It may not be the most pleasant task, but it can be highly rewarding. Grab a pair of gloves and head out to your garden during the early morning or late evening when snails are most active.

Carefully inspect your silver dollar plant, removing any snails you come across. Drop them into a bucket of soapy water to ensure they don’t return. Regular handpicking can significantly reduce the snail population and keep your plants safe.

Natural Predators

Introducing natural predators into your garden is another effective way to control snail populations. Ducks and chickens are known to have a voracious appetite for snails. If you have a small backyard or live in a rural area, keeping a few ducks or chickens can help keep snails at bay.

Alternatively, you can encourage existing predators to visit your garden by creating a welcoming habitat. Install bird feeders and bird baths to attract birds that feed on snails, such as thrushes and blackbirds. You can also create hiding spots for frogs and toads, which are natural enemies of snails.

Copper Barriers

Snails have a slimy body that reacts negatively to copper. By placing copper barriers around your silver dollar plant, you can deter the snails from crawling onto it. Copper tape or bands are readily available at garden centers and can be easily wrapped around pots or placed around the base of the plant.

Ensure the copper barrier is at least 3 inches wide and has no gaps for the snails to crawl through. The snails will receive a mild electric shock when they come into contact with the copper, deterring them from continuing their journey onto your silver dollar plant.

Beer Traps

Beer traps are a popular method for trapping and eliminating snails. The fermented odor of beer attracts snails, luring them into the trap. To create a beer trap, bury a small container, such as a yogurt cup, near your silver dollar plant. Fill it with beer until it’s almost full.

Snails will be drawn to the beer and crawl into the container. However, they are unable to escape and will eventually drown. Empty and refill the beer traps every few days to maintain their effectiveness.

Organic Snail Baits

If handpicking or natural predators aren’t providing enough control, you may consider using organic snail baits. These baits are made from iron phosphate, which is non-toxic to humans, pets, and beneficial insects.

Sprinkle the organic snail bait around your silver dollar plant according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The snails will consume the bait and eventually die. Organic snail baits are an effective way to control snails while minimizing harm to other organisms in your garden.

Cultural Practices

In addition to the above methods, certain cultural practices can help deter snails from infesting your silver dollar plant. Keeping your garden clean and free from debris will eliminate potential hiding spots for snails.

Regularly prune your silver dollar plant to remove any damaged or decaying leaves, which can attract snails. Proper watering practices, such as watering in the morning and avoiding overhead irrigation, can also discourage snails by reducing moisture levels.

Conclusion

Snails can be a frustrating problem for gardeners, especially when they target our beloved plants like the silver dollar plant. However, with the right strategies, we can effectively control their population and protect our plants.

Remember to handpick snails, encourage natural predators, create copper barriers, set up beer traps, use organic snail baits when necessary, and implement good cultural practices. By combining these methods, you’ll significantly reduce the snail population on your silver dollar plant and enjoy a beautiful garden free from these pesky pests.