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What do backyard snails eat? What in our treasured vegetable gardens is at stake? As cute as they are often, backyard snails may also be a little bit of a nuisance within the backyard after they eat up all of the veggies we now have spent months rising. Right here’s what to regulate!
Backyard snails would be the cutest pest within the backyard. Or no less than competing with caterpillars for the title! Personally, I really like recognizing snails within the backyard.
They play their function within the meals chain as a part of the pure ecosystem, being eaten up by birds and small animals whereas consuming particles and pest eggs themselves.
That stated, they’ll eat greater than their fair proportion of my favorite greens and greens within the backyard.
The brown backyard snail, Cornu aspersum, is initially native to the Mediterranean however has now discovered its option to each single continent aside from Antarctica. It’s sneaked its manner into many locations it shouldn’t be, which might make it a nuisance.
So what do backyard snails eat? Effectively…loads!
This publish will cowl…
What Do Backyard Snails Eat?
If it has foliage, a snail would possibly eat it. This implies nearly all of your flowers, greens, and different leafy foliage is in danger. Whereas understanding precisely what’s consuming your vegetation will be arduous, a slimy path might point out a snail is the perpetrator!
Particles
Backyard snails are omnivores, which means they feed on nearly any natural materials. They usually eat numerous particles and reside vegetation, together with tree bark, stems and branches, mushrooms, algae, and seeds.
Calcium can be vital for snails because it helps them develop their shells. They get their calcium from issues like egg shells, bones, useless snail shells, useless animal tissues, soil, and greens.
Greens
Snails like numerous greens. I’d say there are few greens off-limits for the backyard snail to eat, however they do have some they like greater than others. This contains:
- Cabbage
- Spinach
- Artichokes
- Cucumber
- Peas
- Brussel sprouts
- Bean
- Radish
- Onion
- Turnips
Lettuce
Very similar to slugs, leafy greens and lettuce is a well-liked alternative for backyard snails. In case you discover that the majority of your lettuce will get munched on earlier than you will have an opportunity to reap it your self, I extremely advocate rising it in containers. I develop my lettuce in a wine barrel!
Fruit
Snails like fruit a ton, usually leaving holes within the fruit. The decrease and simpler to eat, the higher. So your strawberries might very effectively be in prime snail-eating territory!
In addition they get pleasure from apples, peaches, cherries, plums, apricot, pears, and tomatoes.
Flowers
Your flowers aren’t essentially protected from snails, both. A few of their favourites embody
Crops
Snails have grow to be a large drawback in locations they don’t belong, the place they’re not native. In California particularly, they’re infamous for consuming citrus and vineyards, and quarantines are in place to forestall spreading them.
Even so, they usually disguise amongst foliage and may simply be transported into gardens via container vegetation.
Continuously Requested Questions About Backyard Snails
Snails are most energetic within the spring. That is after they’re most infamous for devouring seedlings. They’ll eat till full, consuming about 10% of their physique weight.
They will additionally enter intervals of lethargy in the course of the summer time and the winter. Throughout this time, they retreat into their shell and canopy themselves with a protecting mucus layer. Whereas on this hibernation of kinds, they eat considerably much less.
Like every residing organism, snails have to drink water. This retains them hydrated and energetic. Most of their water comes from their meals, however in addition they get it from their surroundings. They actually get pleasure from residing in humid locations!
The easiest way to naturally do away with any pest is to have a look at its habitat, consuming habits, and who eats it. To make your habitat much less snail pleasant, strive incorporating vegetation snails don’t like amidst ones they do, and encourage snail-eating animals to take up your backyard as a residence.
You may see extra detailed tips about easy methods to do away with snails on this article.
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