Re: Slugs and snails
- To: Mediterannean Plants List <m*@ucdavis.edu>
- Subject: Re: Slugs and snails
- From: T* &* M* R* <t*@xtra.co.nz>
- Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 15:09:44 +1300
- References: <016201be6023$762af080$2248883e@michaelg>
Michael Gilmore wrote:
>
> Lately on a couple of garden lists 'hackles have risen' over a number of
> issues so it was nice to hear of an old gardener's favourite that affects us
> all regardless of race and location. I'm talking of course of slugs and
> snails. (snip)
> Perhaps as is so often the case with pests and diseases, an attack on a
> combination of fronts provides the best solution. In my own case I have
> enjoyed the creation of a shallow pond (18"/450mm deep) with sloping sides
> as a frog and toad sanctuary. Following the introduction of four adults and
> a bucket of spawn we have noticed a steady increase in froggies (32 after
> five years). The decline in the unwanted slimies only became noticeable in
> the third summer after their introduction. The resulting 'taddies' have
> encouraged a number of 'beneficial predators' which now ensure we are not
> over run by the cure!
Dear Michael
I look on you answer to the S and S problem with envy. Unfortunately in
NZ amphibians are not a striking feature of our gardening scene. We have
three sorts of frog, but all are primitive, shy and live in very small
numbers well away from the haunts of people. We do have one immigrant
frog from Australia, but this is by no means plentiful in this area and
I only once saw one in this garden around thirty years ago. Toads are
unknown. We do however have English hedgehogs, thrushes and blackbirds
and I once actually saw one of the latter feasting on a snail. It didn't
break the shell as a thrush would, but probed into the opening with its
beak.
Usually they are not nearly so helpful, but prefer to dig up my
newly-planted beds in search of worms!
Helpful as these creatures may be they can only deal with a small part
of the problem, which seems to have been compounded by the exceptional
mildness of the last couple of winters.
Moira
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata,
New Zealand (astride the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
