Is it raining snails in your garden?

While rains bring much joy, they also bring a host of unwanted guests. Deadly among them are the snails. Here are some simple methods to keep these pesky pests away, says Bindu Gopal RaoOwning a home is the stuff dreams are made of and naturally then we go all out to make it an abode of comfort and luxury. While we do not miss the obvious — getting it furnished with the best of artifacts and furniture and nurture a garden around it — we tend to miss some of the finer aspects that are probably the most important such as protection from pests, especially during the rainy season.

Recent news reports have brought to light the deadly attacks by snails and slugs on homes and gardens. These pests are unlike others and are deadly in terms of their potency to attack and destroy homes and gardens. They love wet areas and are most visible during the rainy season — they multiply in large numbers during the rainy season — and not to mention their voracious appetites; they can massacre a garden plant in less than 24 hours. They eat all kinds of fruits, leaves and vegetables. "Also, an infestation can wipe out an entire garden and home in a very short amount of time. It takes three weeks for snail eggs to hatch and for the baby snails to start damaging your dwelling. These also enter inside your living area, leaving behind an awful smell. Your furniture and carpets can be destroyed because of the eggs laid by them," says Ashish Dhingra, a furniture expert.

Snails reproduce asexually and a typical snail can produce about 1,200 eggs a year, so you can imagine what you are dealing with here!

Said to be a highly invasive species, these molluscs carry phylophthora fungus that causes root and stem rot in plants and a parasite that can cause illness in humans. It is said that using kerosene and even putting salt on snails is sufficient to control them; copper sulphate sprays are also useful. Again, snails like moist places and cannot stand heat and sunlight. These pests can be efficiently prevented from entering into your homes by implementing a few easy solutions.

“Normally rough edges deter slugs, like crushed egg shells placed around the exterior of your house. They won't cross the shells — as it cuts into their bodies — and turn away. Rotten granite is also a way to protect beautiful flowers in your gardens. Copper tape too keeps them out of the plant pots on the patio. You can also put a copper strip along the threshold of the lobby where the snails get in to stop them,” says Dhingra.

The easiest way to control these molluscs is to ensure that you are able to reduce the moisture content in your home as much as possible.

One of the best home remedies is using salt to keep the snails out. You can lay down a line of salt all around the boundary of the house and door openings. Also, using beer in the same fashion can help your cause — its smell attracts snails and slugs, and kills them once they come in contact with the beer. Nail varnish remover also works in a similar fashion.

Placing neem leaves and cloves in your cupboard or between your clothes also helps in keeping them at bay. By putting the above mentioned into practice, you can keep your home snail-free for longer   periods. If you love greenery make sure that you keep your gardens well-weeded and check areas frequently as snails and molluscs love wet, shady areas. Also, check for infestation. In case there is one, “remove any garden landscaping features like rocks, logs or other garden decorations. And lastly, never resort to harsh chemicals or insecticides as they are bad for the environment and can be potentially harmful to your plants and children,” says Dhingra.

If you still want your home to look green without having to deal with the pesky pests, you can go for artificial synthetic grass which is manufactured using synthetic fibres. It has been one of the best alternate options for a easy, maintenance-free garden.
Virtually indistinguishable from grass when viewed from any distance, artificial grass is being widely used at homes , residential complexes and sports arenas as well today.

"Synthetic grass replicates natural grass and provides a more hygienic and clean environment. Being low on maintenance, it reduces your time and effort in watering, mowing, fertilising and cleaning the lawns. The grass is also an eco-friendly solution and avoids usage of water on lawns. The turf also acts as an illuminator and brightens up the dull space around your homes," says Gaurav Saraf, a flooring expert. Go ahead and protect your homes – making wise choices will save your hard earned money and investment!