Winter Garden Pests

As the weather cools and winter rains arrive, many common garden pests become more active. Slugs and snails thrive in damp conditions and can destroy young seedlings overnight, making early control important for protecting your garden.

Snail and Slug Control

Slugs and snails become more active as temperatures drop and moisture levels increase. These hungry pests can quickly devour seedlings, vegetables and ornamental plants if left unchecked.

Home remedies such as beer traps, coffee grounds, copper barriers, hand removal and salt can help reduce numbers, but consistent management is the key to keeping populations under control. And if you happen to have a friendly Khaki Campbell duck, they are well known for helping keep snails in check!

Snails

Common garden snails have brown shells and can grow larger than 30mm. They spend much of their time hiding in cool, sheltered areas and often become inactive during hot summer weather. White Italian snails are smaller, usually under 20mm, and are commonly found in alkaline sandy soils, particularly in coastal areas.

Most Active: April to October.

What damage do they cause? Common garden snails can cause significant damage to seedlings, vegetables and ornamental plants. They may also feed on citrus, grapevines and fruit trees. White Italian snails can be particularly destructive in crops and may strip garden plants bare. During summer, they often cluster on fences, walls and other vertical surfaces to survive the heat.

What should you do? Keep garden beds weed-free and remove places where snails can hide. Pet-friendly snail baits are best applied in autumn, particularly during April, before breeding begins, but they can be used throughout the year when needed. Beer traps can also be effective. If you have White Italian Snails, collecting and removing them during the summer while they are clustered on vertical surfaces can help reduce future populations.

Slugs

Unlike snails, slugs do not have shells and rely on damp environments to survive. They are often found in moist garden beds and areas with heavier clay soils.

Most Active: April to October, although outbreaks can occur after particularly wet summers.

What damage do they cause? Like snails, slugs can rapidly destroy seedlings and cause damage to vegetables and ornamental plants.

What should you do? Apply pet-friendly slug and snail baits, especially in autumn before egg laying begins. Beer traps placed in shallow containers at soil level can also help reduce numbers. The slugs are attracted to the yeast, crawl in and don’t make it back out.

Cutworm

Cutworms are the caterpillar stage of several night-flying moth species. The moths lay their eggs in the soil, and the emerging caterpillars can grow up to 40mm long. They range in colour from light grey to black and feed mainly at night, hiding in the soil during the day. When disturbed, they curl into a tight coil.

Most Active: During wet weather and periods of rain.

What damage do they cause? Cutworms attack young seedlings by chewing through stems at ground level. They can also damage soft fruits, including strawberries.

What should you do? Protect seedlings by placing small open-ended plastic cups or sections of drink bottles around the base of plants. Organic biological controls such as Dipel® or Success Ultra® can also be used. Ensure plants are sprayed thoroughly, including the undersides of leaves.

Better Tip

Not everything moving through your garden is a pest. Many insects are beneficial predators that help keep damaging pests under control naturally.

Encouraging these helpful insects can reduce the need for chemical treatments. When control measures are required, choose the safest option available. Products such as Beat-a-Weed can help manage small seedling weeds while remaining safe for pets and children when used as directed.

Snail Pellets in a Pet-Friendly Garden

Many pet owners worry about using snail pellets because dogs, and sometimes cats, have a habit of investigating and tasting anything interesting in the garden.

Modern snail and slug baits often contain a bittering agent designed to discourage pets from eating them. However, it’s still important to use them carefully.

Tips for Safe Use

Spread pellets sparingly rather than leaving them in piles.

Large piles increase the chance of a pet consuming multiple pellets before realising they are unpalatable.

 

 

Place pellets in protected areas.

Hide them within dense plants such as agapanthus where pets are less likely to access them but snails are likely to gather.

 

Create a simple snail bait station.

Cut a small doorway into a plastic cordial bottle, place a few pellets inside and position it in a damp, shady spot. This helps attract snails while reducing access for pets.

Store products safely.

Keep snail pellets in a sealed container or secure cupboard to prevent curious pets from accessing them in the shed or garage.