Snails and slugs can be controlled in the garden without resorting to dangerous pesticides.

Smart Solutions to Pest Problems

by John Gillespie
Image © Christina Symons

Gardeners are ready to jump into spring all over the Coast. But the enthusiasm for lush new plants and the promise of the season is often dampened by the timely arrival of our friends and nemeses - slugs and snails. Despite playing crucial roles in nature, slugs or snails in abundance can do a lot of damage in the garden.

All too often gardeners will reach for the strongest slug and snailbait available, not realizing that it contains high levels of toxic nerve poisons. Everyone is threatened by the ongoing use of these pesticides. Slug baits can also kill pets and wildlife and should never be stored, handled or applied near children.

Fortunately there are many simple and safe alternatives for battling slugs. Slug and snails can be picked up and removed by hand. Or try pouring a stale beer into a shallow container to trap the pesky critters.

New products by familiar companies like Safers include slug and snail pellets that can be used as an alternative to more dangerous pesticides. This is one of a wide range of "green" products from enlightened companies. Harmless to pets, wildlife and birds, the slug pellets remain good even after rain and can be followed up with safe products for ants, aphids, caterpillars, spiders, disease, cockroaches, gophers, moss and skunks.

Another new product to try is Slug Guard and Copper Barrier Tape, by a company called Chemfree. Other natural insecticides by this company are made from fossilized deposits of marine plants and algae, known as diatomaceous earth. When combined with natural proteins, the powder works both efficiently and safely.

In eastern Canada, recent court cases have upheld a municipality's right to ban the cosmetic use of dangerous herbicides. This would be difficult to uphold if effective alternatives were not already available for those who still desire a manicured look to their garden.

One very simple solution to get rid of unwanted weeds and grass in the cracks of driveways, patios and walks is to use vinegar made from fruits or grains. Household vinegar can also be used for this purpose and is most effective when applied at a concentration of 5%. Inexpensive and commonly available, vinegar applications of between of 5-10% are considered environmentally safe and effective.

New environmental weed killers are fast acting and made from naturally occurring fatty acids. They leave no soil residue, yet kill on contact. Initially developed for forestry management, some products also use indigenous fungal pathogens as active ingredients.

For example, a new black fungus has begun to appear on the escaped Scotch Broom rampant on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast and it appears hopeful that this natural fruiting body will soon be used as another biocontrol agent in the future. When a garden is looked after and proper horticultural techniques are followed many pests and problems can be avoided. Beginning in the design phase and ending with proper maintenance, problems with disease, harmful insects and weeds will become minor issues that may not have to be dealt with at all.

Remember that every herbicide will have a negative impact upon some part of the natural cycle. Death will occur to beneficial insects when pesticides are not handled with care and respect. When a problem does occur it is usually a symptom of a larger issue. A healthy garden is the first step to avoiding the use of sprays and chemicals.

John Gillespie is Horticulturist and Arborist for the District of Sechelt. He writes regularly on gardening subjects for the Coast Reporter newspaper.