Snails and Slugs Slimy Monsters of the Garden

Snails and slugs are both among the Mollusca kingdom and the Gastropoda class.
The term Gastropod means "stomach foot" which refers to the stomach that sits on top of a large fleshy foot of the snails and slugs.
The brown garden snail (Cornu aspersum) is the most common snail in gardens, and was introduced to the US from France in the 1850's as a species for escargot.
These snails are hermaphrodites (containing both male and female sex organs) which allowing them to self fertilize as well as fertilize with other snails. They lay masses of eggs in moist soil about every month or longer. Young snails look like adults except much smaller, and with thinner shells. They typically live up to two years: one year maturing, and one year as an adult.

The most common slug that is found in gardens is the grey garden slug (Deroceras reticulatum), although there are other fairly common ones like the banded slug (Lehmannia poirieri), three-band garden slug (L. valentiana), the tawny slug (Limacus flavus), and the greenhouse slug (Milax gagates).
The grey garden slug is also a hermaphrodite. Adults produce egg masses up to around 40 eggs. There are four stages of a slug's life including the egg, neonate (newly hatched), and adult. Slugs typically live around 6 to 12 months, but some up to 18 months.

Some plants that snails and slugs target the most in gardens are basil, beans, cabbage, dahlia, delphinium, hosta, lettuce, marigolds, and strawberries.

Pest Controls

One of the best ways to get rid of snails and slugs is hand picking and disposing them away from the garden. This is an easy and effective method since they are relatively large and slow.
Copper Barrier: Making a barrier around the garden with some kind of copper sheet is effective because the copper reacts with the slime of slugs and snails disrupting their nervous systems.
Plants with strong fragrances like lavender and rosemary deters snails and slugs, so planting these in a garden might help lessen the amount coming in.

Threats

One prominent predator of snails and slugs found in California is the Devil’s Coach Horse (Ocypus olens) (Left)
Other natural predators include: ground beetles, snakes, toads, turtles, and birds.
Some kinds of nematodes (microscopic worms) kill snails and slugs.

Being Cautious with Snails and Slugs

Not all, but some snails and slugs can be hosts for many infectious diseases such as Rat Lungworm Disease, Heterophyiasis, Echinostomiasis, Schistosomiasis, and Angiostrongylus. It is important to be cautious when exploring and handling them when found either in the garden, on a hike, or just anywhere out and about. Make sure to wash your hands well after picking these slimy creatures ensure that not of these diseases are a threat to your health. More information about these specific diseases are linked below.

Heterophyiasis

Echinostomiasis

Schistosomiasis

Angiostrongylus

Native Association

Snails were sacred to the ancient Aztecs because their shells represented the circle of life.
Snails were symbolic of time, transition, and fertility.

Fun Facts

There are over 40,000 types of snails.
The brown garden snail is edible to humans and is prepared in a popular dish called escargot. A delicious recipe for this dish is linked below.

Escargot with Garlic-Parsley Butter

References

https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7427.html
https://www.capitalgardens.co.uk/blog/driven-mad-slugs-snails-7-plants-hate/#:~:text=Slugs%20and%20snails%20are%20also,molluscs%20will%20be%20turned%20off.
https://ucanr.edu/sites/CalSnailsandSlugs/Management/Natural_enemies/#:~:text=Snails%20and%20slugs%20have%20many,satisfactory%20control%20in%20the%20nursery.
https://factsaboutsnails.com/snails-in-human-culture/#:~:text=The%20ancient%20Aztecs%20saw%20the,of%20the%20spiral%20snail%20shell.
https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/slug-portal/life-slug/biology-and-life-cycle-gray-field-slug

Created By

Giancarlo Rocco

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