Slugs and snails.

[goosander]

Just wondering if anyone else has noticed a large increase in slugs and snails this season. I seem to find them everywhere this year.
Bob.

[greenishfing]

Earlier in the year when it was very dry I saw hardly any but now they seem to be back with a vengeance. I wouldn't mind so much if they were the big edible snails....I'd probably look after them then.

[mothhawk]

Not noticed much increase in slugs, but earwigs! I've never seen so many as this year, it seems that every folded leaf, every nook and cranny has a whole family in, and I hate them far worse than slugs.

On the plus side there seems to be a distinct lack of wasps about. Normally at this time of year I can't cook anything sweet or fruity without two or three buzzing in through an open window.

[ameno]

I'm inundated with them all year, every year. I can't say I've noticed any real increase on that this year.

[Penellype]

What I have (apart from whitefly) is enormous numbers of woodlice. The compost bin is so full of them that they cascade off the lid when I open it. I've never seen anything like it.

The slugs and snails will have been hiding during the dry weather - slugs hide in soil or under stones etc and snails retreat into their shells and seal themselves in with a layer of dried mucus. When dampness arrives they come out, and I suspect after a prolonged drought like this year they will be very hungry!

[Babru]

Lots of slug eggs in my pots of pansies, as I am planting them out. I know they were slugs because I found a culprit too.

Often they lay between the compost and the pot wall, so easy to squash. This time a couple had laid into the centre of the plant stalk, so I had to fish around to get them all. Bruised pansy, but better than being decimated later.

[DannyK]

Not noticed much increase in slugs, but earwigs! I've never seen so many as this year, it seems that every folded leaf, every nook and cranny has a whole family in, and I hate them far worse than slugs.

On the plus side there seems to be a distinct lack of wasps about. Normally at this time of year I can't cook anything sweet or fruity without two or three buzzing in through an open window.

Earwigs predate woolly aphids, so they could be relocated.

[mothhawk]

Earwigs predate woolly aphids, so they could be relocated.

That's interesting, Danny. I had no idea earwigs could help with pest control and had to goggle them. Apparently they eat lots of other small pests too. Maybe I should forgive the eaten flower buds

[DannyK]

That's interesting, Danny. I had no idea earwigs could help with pest control and had to goggle them. Apparently they eat lots of other small pests too. Maybe I should forgive the eaten flower buds

Just occurred to me that perhaps we should plant dahlias with apple trees!

[Muddy_Boots]

Earwigs tend to get a raw deal mainly 'cos they infest Dahlia flower heads but they do far more good than harm. I've noticed alot more of those, woodlice (we call them cows) and now the rain is with us the slugs have made their presence known, snails not so much. The flying ant season didn't seem to appear this year, must of only seen a dozen at the most and as for wasps ....... not seen one this year although I have seen far more Bumble bees and BIG and I mean really BIG queens flying about looking for somewhere to hibernate over winter for next year, a very good sign.