How to Get Rid of Snails: the 5 Tricks to Get Rid of Them Permanently and Naturally (Without Killing Them)

Nothing is more satisfying than having a vegetable garden where you can grow your own produce and consume it. There is, however, one small enemy that, despite being very slow and tiny, can wreak havoc on our hard work: snails. They are famous for being voracious and digging holes in all types of plants. We want to get rid of them, but we also don't want to kill them, right? Here are 5 natural, DIY, and effective solutions to get rid of them without hurting them and saving our plants!

1. Create a Snail Relocation Program

One humane way to deal with snails is to simply relocate them. Take a leisurely evening stroll through your garden with a flashlight, a bucket, and some gloves. Snails are nocturnal creatures, so you'll have the best luck finding them after sunset or during damp mornings. Gently pick them up and place them in your bucket. You can then release them in a nearby wooded area or a compost heap where they can munch away without causing any trouble to your garden. It's a win-win: they get a new home, and you get snail-free plants.

2. Coffee GroundsAre A Snail's Worst Nightmare

If you ever wondered what happens when a snail has too much caffeine, you might be onto something. Snails hate coffee grounds, making them an excellent natural deterrent. Sprinkle used coffee grounds around the base of your plants. Not only will this keep snails at bay, but it will also enrich the soil with nitrogen. It’s like giving your garden a double shot of espresso! Just remember, moderation is key – you don’t want to turn your garden into a coffee shop.

3. EggshellsAre The Natural Barrier

Crushed eggshells can be your garden's knight in shining armor against snail invasions. These sharp-edged barriers are uncomfortable for snails to crawl over, so they tend to avoid them altogether. Scatter crushed eggshells around the perimeter of your garden beds or directly around the plants you want to protect. Plus, eggshells add calcium to your soil, which is a bonus for your plants. It’s like serving breakfast to your garden while keeping the uninvited guests out.

4. Copper Tape Is an Excellent Repellent As Well

Copper tape is another effective snail deterrent. When snails come into contact with copper, it causes a mild electric shock that they find highly unpleasant. By placing copper tape around the rims of your garden pots or along the edges of raised garden beds, you create an invisible force field that keeps snails away. It’s like your very own garden security system, minus the monthly fees.

5. Beer Traps

It turns out that snails have a taste for beer, but not in a good way. Bury small containers filled with beer up to their rims around your garden. The snails will be attracted to the yeast in the beer and crawl in, only to find they can’t crawl back out. While this method does lead to their demise, it’s a natural way to reduce the snail population without resorting to harsh chemicals. Think of it as hosting the ultimate happy hour – one that they won’t forget.

What Attracts Snails and How to Prevent an Overabundance

Now that we've covered how to humanely get rid of snails, let’s talk about why they might be flocking to your garden in the first place. Snails are attracted to moist environments, abundant organic matter, and lush vegetation. Overwatering your garden, leaving decaying plant material around, or having dense plant cover can all create a snail paradise.

To prevent an overabundance of snails, try to water your garden in the morning so the soil dries out by evening, remove any dead leaves or plant debris, and avoid dense planting. Creating a less inviting environment will naturally reduce the number of snails that find your garden appealing. Remember, a little garden maintenance goes a long way in keeping these slimy intruders at bay.