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  • From: "HS" <wal@pc.jaring.my>
  • To: "permaculture" <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [permaculture] Slug control
  • Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 18:40:34 +0800

Collect the snails and place them in a bin. Feed them banana leaves and
others. Collect the babies and transfer them to growing-up bins. Once they
reach the size you want, boil them, smash them and feed them to the
chickens. Good source of "organic" protein and calcium for your chickens
for those who do not want to feed soya to them.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bart Anderson" <bart@cwo.com>
To: <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2004 6:23 PM
Subject: [permaculture] Slug control


> We've had slugs and snails in the vegetable garden for several
> years. Perhaps I could mention some strategies we've tried.
> The strategies are the same for slugs and snails.
>
> Most successful for us has been changing the environment so
> the snails aren't as comfortable. For example, we removed boards
> and other surfaces under which the snails shelter during the day.
> For the same reason, we removed broad-leafed or profuse weeds
> in the area.
>
> After installing a drip irrigation system, I noticed that the
> number of snails markedly decreased. I suspect that was because
> overhead watering had kept all the soil in the beds moist, making
> it much easier for snails to get around.
>
> Another tactic is changing the kind of vegetables one grows.
> Perennials are much less vulnerable than annuals, for example.
>
> When the snails were particularly bad, we used transplants rather
> than seeds since the vulnerable period is shorter with transplants.
> We would put copper collars around the young plants Strips of
> copper sheet metal can be bought at some garden supply stores
> for this purpose. I'd like to try Jude Hobb's idea of putting
> bran around plants.
>
> As another poster mentioned, one can make a big dent in the snail
> population by going on snail collecting expeditions. One trick
> is to leave some boards out, so you can get dozens at once rather
> than picking them out of plants one-by-one. Collecting is much
> better at twilight or night, as the snails come out of their
> hiding places.
>
> I'd love to try eating snails, as someone suggested. The species
> of garden snails in our area (Helix aspersa) was originally
> introduced by French people for gastronomical purposes, so the
> snails should be good eating. Apparently the routine is to put
> snails in cages and feed them on corn meal for a week or so, and
> when you cook them to use plenty of garlic and butter. There are
> instructions and recipes on the Web. It would be very convenient
> if we could develop a taste for snails. Talk about an easy source
> of protein!
>
> Slugs are less appealing since ours are much smaller. However
> a Georgia conchologist says that they are also good eating,
> "like escargots with the shell already removed."
> http://www.listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0408e&L=conch-l&F=&S=&P=
> 2246
>
> If you do eat snails or slugs, apparently it is important to
> cook them to avoid parasites.
> http://abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s969551.htm
>
> Bart Anderson
> _______________________________________________
> permaculture mailing list
> permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/permaculture
>
>






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