Live to Plant

How to Get Rid of Snails on Taco Plant

Scroll down to article
Updated: July 26, 2023

If you are a taco lover and have recently started growing your own taco plants, you might have encountered an unwelcome visitor: snails. These slimy creatures can wreak havoc on your beloved taco plants, causing damage to the leaves and ruining your future taco fillings. However, with a few simple steps, you can effectively get rid of snails and protect your taco plants. In this article, we will explore various methods to keep these pesky snails at bay.

Understanding Snail Behavior

Before we delve into the methods to eliminate snails, it is important to understand their behavior. Snails are attracted to moist environments and thrive in areas with high humidity levels. They are most active during the night and prefer to hide in shady, damp places during the day. Snails feed on the leaves of plants, leaving behind a trail of slime as they move around.

Manual Removal

The simplest and most environmentally friendly way to get rid of snails is through manual removal. This method involves physically picking up the snails from your taco plants and relocating them away from your garden. You can do this by going out at night with a flashlight and carefully collecting the snails by hand. Remember to wear gloves to protect your hands from their slimy trails.

After removing the snails, it is important to dispose of them properly. One option is to relocate them to a nearby wooded area, away from your taco plants. Alternatively, you can create a designated snail trap by burying a container or bucket partially filled with beer near your plants. The scent of beer will attract the snails, causing them to fall into the trap and drown.

Create Barriers

Another effective method to prevent snail infestations is by creating barriers around your taco plants. There are several types of barriers you can use:

  1. Copper Tape: Snails dislike the sensation of copper, so placing copper tape around your taco plants can act as a deterrent. The tape should be wrapped around the pots or raised beds, creating a barrier that snails will avoid crossing.

  2. Eggshells: Crushed eggshells can create a rough surface that snails find difficult to crawl over. You can sprinkle crushed eggshells around your taco plants to create a physical barrier.

  3. Diatomaceous Earth: This natural substance is made from the fossilized remains of marine organisms. When sprinkled around your plants, it acts as a barrier and causes damage to the snails’ soft bodies.

Natural Predators

Introducing natural predators to your garden can help control the snail population. Some animals and insects are known to feed on snails, including:

  1. Ducks: Ducks love to feast on snails and their eggs. Allowing ducks access to your garden, either temporarily or by creating a dedicated duck pond, can significantly reduce snail populations.

  2. Frogs and Toads: These amphibians are natural predators of snails and can help keep their numbers in check. By creating a small pond or water feature in your garden, you can attract frogs and toads and provide them with a suitable habitat.

  3. Birds: Many bird species, such as thrushes and blackbirds, enjoy eating snails. By attracting birds to your garden through bird feeders or bird baths, you can encourage them to help control the snail population.

Organic Snail Baits

If manual removal and barriers are not enough to control the snail population in your garden, you may consider using organic snail baits as a last resort. Organic baits are made from iron phosphate, which is safe for humans, pets, and beneficial insects. These baits are attractive to snails but do not harm other creatures in your garden.

To use organic snail baits, simply scatter them around your taco plants according to the instructions on the packaging. Snails will consume the bait and eventually die, reducing their numbers in your garden. It is important to note that organic baits should be used sparingly and only as a last resort, as they can also affect beneficial insects.

Maintaining Garden Hygiene

Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to snail infestations. By maintaining good garden hygiene practices, you can minimize the chances of snails finding your taco plants attractive. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  1. Remove debris: Snails love hiding in leaf litter and garden debris. Regularly clean up fallen leaves and other garden waste to discourage snails from taking up residence.

  2. Watering schedule: Overwatering can create favorable conditions for snails. Water your taco plants early in the morning so that the leaves have time to dry out during the day, making them less attractive to snails.

  3. Pruning: Keep your taco plants well-pruned to remove any damaged or dying leaves. Snails are more likely to attack weak or decaying foliage.

By following these tips and implementing effective methods to get rid of snails, you can protect your beloved taco plants from these slimy intruders. Remember, persistence is key, and regularly monitoring your garden for signs of snail activity will help you maintain a healthy and thriving taco plant ecosystem.

Related Posts:

Taco Plant