Snail eggs: how to recognize them and what to do
An army of slugs in the garden is usually not something any gardener enjoys. You can sometimes prevent a slug infestation by finding and controlling slug and snail eggs. But what do they actually look like, where can you find them, and what can you do if you encounter them?
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Snail and slug eggs are small, white to translucent white balls about 3 mm in size. They feel soft and jelly-like. By recognizing and removing the eggs, you can prevent their numbers from growing too large. Don't forget that snails are also very important in your garden ecosystem, and that some snails, such as the garden snail, tiger snail , and various other small species, are actually beneficial.
You usually find snail eggs in clusters in the ground or under sheltered spots, such as rocks, logs, and branches. You can recognize them by their size and texture. Not sure if they're real eggs? Gently squeeze one between your thumb and index finger: snail eggs "crush" and feel soft, while fertilizer granules (which are similar in size) release liquid and are often more orange/yellow in color. Perlite , often used in potting soil, also looks similar, but it feels hard and gritty like Styrofoam.
Snails lay eggs year-round, especially in damp, dark places. Think under flowerpots, trays, compost bags, and planks, but also in the ground and in compost piles . Eggs laid in autumn are often intended to survive the winter and hatch in spring as soon as temperatures rise. Some species even remain active year-round, especially in sheltered locations such as greenhouses or cold frames.
On the one hand, snails and slugs can cause considerable damage to plants when they are present in large numbers. On the other hand, snails are very useful in the garden: they clear organic waste and thus compost plant and animal waste. They are also on the menu of many animals, such as birds , hedgehogs, and amphibians.
So, it's a good idea to check whether you have too many snails or whether you're dealing with a "normal" number and seeing little damage. Also, don't forget that you can also target snail control for plants that are particularly susceptible to snail damage.
Tip!
Removing snail and slug eggs reduces the risk of an infestation. You can't eradicate them completely, and you shouldn't want to, but you can significantly reduce their number. Here are a few tips.
- Focus on the greenhouse, cold frame, or polytunnel if you have one. Young plants are particularly vulnerable here. Keep the area tidy and store pots, bags of soil, and other garden tools as much as possible to reduce the number of hiding places for snails.
- Collect snail eggs and place them on your bird feeder or scatter them on the ground: birds, insects, and some other snails love them and eat them whole. This way, you'll both help garden animals and reduce the number of snails in your garden.
