Snails can be destructive garden pests and unwanted house guests. There are a number of ways to get rid of snails, including pesticides and other, more natural methods. Creating barriers around gardens and flowerbeds can be an effective way to control invasions of these pests, and treating the plants themselves with some natural repellents can get rid of those already on the plants.
Those who may not have young children or pets to be concerned about may be able to easily use some commercial pest controls, especially products containing iron phosphate, to put on or around the plants that have snail problems. This should generally be done with caution, as frequent application can damage some plants. Pesticides can be particularly hazardous on vegetable and herb gardens, where the plants are going to be consumed. To get rid of snails that have already taken up residence in the garden and are destroying plants, gathering them by hand and removing them can help cut down on numbers. When using this low-tech method, removing these voracious eaters completely from the garden before crushing and killing them can help keep other pests from being attracted to the mess.
Some substances can be sprayed directly on infested plants in order to get rid of snails. A mixture of water and coffee will deliver a fatal level of caffeine to the snails when it is absorbed through porous skin. Similarly, cut hair can be deadly to slugs that get caught in it. Dishes of beer set out among infested plants will lure the snails away from the plants and into the beer, where they will often consume enough to pass out in the liquid and drown.
Part of the solution to the problem is prevention. Snails do not like to cross over certain substances, and barriers can be easily built around the areas where they do the most damage. Substances that work to puncture the soft bodies of the creatures include lava rock and diatomaceous earth, which is basically pulverized fossils.
Salt and ashes from campfires or wood stoves can also be used to create protective barriers, as both will cause snails to dehydrate once applied to their bodies. These substances can be sprinkled on individuals as well as used to create a barrier. For a less biodegradable but more permanent option, copper wire can also be used to form a protective barrier around plants and gardens.
