1 Silica sand, alfalfa meal, rock dust, flour, cayenne (see also physical barriers
), DE, wood ashes7 and seaweed all make excellent barriers to keep snails from
crossing over into an area you want to keep them out of. Use as little as needed around
plants to protect them from snails. Tangelfoot made of castor oil and wax and placed
around the trunk of a tree also makes an excellent barrier. Add cayenne pepper (or any hot
barriers such as chili) to increase effectiveness. A foot wide barrier of any of the above
should be placed around the edge of your garden or beds. Replace regularly. This will keep
snails and other crawling insects from visiting your garden. Ocean sand works well too8.
Other barriers you can use is crushed egg shells, aluminum screening around raised beds,
use the edges to keep the snails from crawling over by bending out. Hardware cloth tacked
to the raised beds will also work.
Diatomaceous Earth (Dia-earth)
Diatoms (Diatomite) are either lacy-like snowflakes in appearance, or tubes,
which are better. They are microscopic in size. Their color is usually somewhere between
white and brown. They are found both at the bottom of the ocean and in fresh water
lakes.Their by-product is oxygen. Three-quarters of the air we breathe comes from
diatoms.9 As the diatom dies, the Dia-earth10 falls to the ocean bottom or lake in which
they lived. Layers of this silica form and do not degrade. After 150 millions years of
this, we now have rich deposits of this substance. DE is chemically identical to quartz
and ocean white sand. DE is totally harmless to mammals if eaten and is recommended to be
given to your animals as part of their diet. Many years ago when tests where run on the
toxicity of DE, it was found to be beneficial to the animals fed with it as they gained
weight and seemed healthier then those not fed DE. Animals fed DE have fewer problems with
intestinal parasites. DE can be fed to animal with their food, or in a bucket mixed with a
little grain. For cats, use one teaspoon mixed along with their wet food, once per week.
For dogs, add 2 tablespoonful per week mixed well with their wet food. For horses, use
one-half cup per bucket of sweet oats, or add to a bucket of drinking water. One more
benefit of animals eating DE is that it removes worms, most intestinal parasites, and also
effectively controls flies since the DE kills their grubs and reduces the flies
population. DE contains many vitamins and minerals so horses love it! Give weekly for best
results.
AVOID BREATHING
Breathing DE should be avoided because it is rather harsh on your lungs, like
any irritant. If you try breathing flour, you will get the same results. So it is best to
keep the dust down to a minimum. DE is not harmful to your health if used properly. Be
careful when using DE. Keep it away from your eyes. DE is like millions of tiny razor
blades, and should be washed out with water immediately. Avoid rubbing your eyes, for
obvious reasons. Wear a face mask when using for extra protection. You can use Duster
Mizer to apply (available at most mail order companies such as Nitron, Arbico, Gardeners
Supply), or you can use a flour sifter or pest pistol. DE prevents snails from laying
their eggs and kills them by slow dehydration. It will significantly reduce the snail
population over several years. Remember, the best results may take longer but are more
permanent. DE should be dusted onto plants and placed as a barrier around them. Avoid
water for the next 24 hours to allow the DE to take effect.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT DE
Many have asked me if the DE which is used for pools is the same DE I am always talking
about. Well, it is and it isn't. It comes from the same geological sources but the pool
companies use sulfuric acid to melt the DE crystals into a form which works best as a
crystalline silica filter.This "melted" DE is more dangerous to humans if it is
inhaled. Do Not use this type of DE in your garden. The garden variety is non crystalline
and can be dissolved by natural body fluids. Of course it is best to avoid breathing any
type of dusts whether it is flour, DE, or whatever. Always thoroughly wash your face and
your hands.
How Diatomaceous Earth works
Dia-earth (DE) is a dust that bugs attract by way of the static electricity
produced when they move about. Nothing "Bugs" an insect more then being dirty,
hence cleaning themselves is a major part of their daily activity. DE clogs their
breathing `holes' (insects breathe through their outer exo skeleton), and removes oils
that insects naturally produce to help protect themselves, leading to de-hydration and
death. This happens slowly, over a period of time that varies depending on which insects
are affected, and on various environmental conditions. Usually a small amount will do.
Often farmers use a lot of DE as they want faster results and are impatient. DE should be
applied as part of your annual maintenance work. DE can be blended with water and part
soap and sprayed on the plants or insects. When it dries, it leaves a thin coat of DE
behind. Use a little bit. Remember that it will kill beneficials as well so apply only
where it is needed.
A good source of garden grade DE is Nitron, Arbico, Gardeners
_______________________________ 1 After crushing! 2 It is important to keep out of direct
sun and to keep the snail bait dry. 3 Many have heard about snails and beer. When I was in
the sixth grade I wanted to know if this was true. I went out and with the help of an
older friend bought 10 different type of beer plus a few bottles of wine and a few other
types such as vinegar, wiskey, brandy etc and yeast. The snails preferred the stronger
drinks such as wiskey and the brandy but the best results came with the use of apple
cidar, vinegar and the yeast. When ever I added yeast to any of the strong drinks, the
snails went nuts for it! Beer does work but will fizzle out and must be replaced every day
to be effective while the stonger drinks would last for a week before having to be
changed. 4 Using the apple cider, wine , vinegar or beer to control snails works because
of its high fermentation. Any fermented products will attract the snails and many other
insects as well. 5 Becareful using salt as the will cause soil and plant damage if too
much falls on the ground. Dust only the snails here! 6 Any natural soap will work here. 7
Go lightly with the ashes as it will raise the ph level of the soil. 8 Very salty so go
lightly. Do not put directly under plants. Ok for barrier around raised beds
tho. 9 They
carry on photosynthesis. 10 Dia-earth is 90 percent pure silica.
