Useful and harmful species
Shell snails like the banded snail do not cause any problems in the garden. They feed largely on dead plant parts. The protected Roman snail reveals itself to be a beneficial insect because it is the eggs of the Nudibranchs eats. Some nudibranchs have negative effects. The Spanish slug in particular is conquering the gardens. Field slugs and garden slugs also belong to the pests.
also read
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- Planting pumpkin on the compost - you should know that
The appearance of the Spanish slug is very variable. There are both light and dark to almost black colored individuals. As food, she prefers melon and pumpkin plants, which are often grown on the compost. When food is scarce, it also feeds on other plants.
You can recognize the garden slug by its gray to black color. The sole is yellowish to orange in color. It lives in the top soil layer under fallen leaves and feeds mainly on plant roots. The field snail is yellowish-white to brown in color and often has a reticulate pattern and a light-colored sole. These pests live on different plants that they feed on.
Compost as a living space
Snails need a humid and warm climate. The compost offers them ideal living conditions. Here they are an important part of the cycle because they utilize organic residues. As long as the snails are only on the compost, there is no need for action. For many species, the egg-laying time begins in August. The clutches are often placed in the compost substrate, as the moist conditions are ideal here.
Combat
Search the area around the compost for clutches. Snails prefer to lay their eggs under stones and boards or in the compost. Uncover stones and boards so that the clutches are exposed to the sun. This causes the eggs to die and serve as food for birds. In autumn you should move the compost and mix in fresh lawn clippings. The fresh material stimulates the activity of the microorganisms. The temperature in the substrate rises, so that the eggs are killed.
This is how eggs don't get on the bed:
- Sieve ready-ripened compost
- store sieved material in a bin
- Spread the dried substrate on the beds