Combating Snails & Slugs with Nematodes

Slugs are mollusks that cause considerable damage by feeding on leaves, stems and fruit. They live in damp environments and often pose a major challenge to gardeners, especially after periods of rain when slugs are present in large numbers. Early control helps protect your plants.

Snails: What are they and how do you combat them effectively?

Snailsare a common pest in gardens, especially after rainy periods. Both slugs and snails can cause great damage to plants through their voracious feeding behavior. They eat leaves, stems and even flowers, which can lead to bare plants and wilted crops within days. Fortunately, there is an environmentally friendly and effective way to combat slugs: the use ofnematodes(nematodes).

This is what Snails looks like:

How do you recognize damage caused by snails?

Slugs can cause considerable damage to both ornamental and vegetable gardens. The most common signs of slug damage are:

  • Holes in leaves: Snails eat round holes in the leaves of flowers, vegetables and young seedlings.
  • Slime trails: Silvery, shiny slime trails on the leaves and ground, which is a clear sign of slug activity.
  • Eaten plants: Snails eat young stems and leaves, which can lead to weakened or even dead plants.

Indirect damage and additional risks

In addition to the direct damage to plants, snails can indirectly lead to more problems in the garden. Damaged plants are more susceptible to diseases and other pests. In addition, large snail populations in the vegetable garden can significantly reduce the yield of vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes and strawberries.

Choose a natural approach

One of the most effective and environmentally friendly ways to combat snails is to usenematodes. Nematodes of the speciesPhasmarhabditis Californicaare natural enemies of snails and best tested as a problem solver. These nematodes penetrate the snail and kill it from the inside. The advantages of this biological control method are:

  • Environmentally friendly: Nematodes specifically target snails and leave other beneficial organisms in the garden untouched.
  • Effective and sustainable: Under the right conditions, nematodes can significantly reduce snail populations without the use of chemical pesticides.
  • Safe for humans and animals: Nematodes pose no danger to children, pets or other animals, making them ideal for use in gardens and vegetable gardens.

When to use nematodes against snails?

The best time tonematodesThe best time to use it against snails is in spring or autumn, when snails are most active.Phasmarhabditis Californicaworks best at temperatures of5°C to 20°C. Mix the nematodes with water and apply them to the places where the snails are active. Make sure that the soil remains moist after application, so that the nematodes can spread well and do their work. Repeat the treatment if necessary to prevent a permanent snail plague.

With thisnatural approachYou can effectively combat snails without using chemicals.Order nematodes todayand protect your garden and vegetable garden against snail infestation!