Once they find a way in, slugs can do a lot of damage in raised beds. But it is possible to protect the raised bed from snails with very simple means.
A raised bed makes it harder for snails to get to your plants. However, if no additional measures are taken, snails cannot be prevented from attacking your vegetables. In this article you will find out how they get into the bed and how you can protect your raised bed from snails.
How do snails get into the raised bed?
You might think that a raised bed would be a good way of cultivating your vegetables out of the reach of the snails, but they don't stop at a steep wall. If the raised bed is made of wooden boards, then it is easy for the small animals to climb up it. If a few snails have already found their way into the raised bed, then there is also the possibility that they have laid their eggs in the ground and soon more offspring will pounce on your plants. However, it should be noted that not all snails are after your fresh greens. You can find out more about the different types of snails in the garden, such as the tiger slug, which also includes snail eggs in the raised bed, in our separate article.
Raised bed slug protection: protect raised bed from slugs
In order to protect a raised bed from snails, various measures can be taken. An effective defense against snails can already be planned for the raised bed when it is created. For example, a bent metal sheet can be attached to the upper edge as a finish. This acts as a snail fence on the raised bed and can also be a real eye-catcher when installed properly. The snails are prevented from climbing up by simply falling down when crossing the target.
Another possibility is to attach a copper strip to the raised bed. This is often recommended against snails, itsHowever, effectiveness could not be confirmed in experiments with the slug (Arion rufus). The situation is different when using electric snail fences with copper electrodes: at a voltage of 10 volts, these fended off practically all snails interested in the bait. However, if there is tall grass or other tall growth next to the raised bed, the snails may be able to bypass the barriers.
Plants against slugs
In fact, there are also plants that have a deterrent effect on slugs and can provide shelter for the beloved vegetables by planting them around them. Examples include savory (Satureja) and thyme (Thymus). In our special article on plants against snails, we introduce you to a few other suitable plants and explain how you can even use them to make a brew to scare snails.
Control: What helps against snails in raised beds?
If it is already too late for preventive measures and the snails are already in the raised bed, then you have to resort to other methods. Basically, it is recommended to collect the snails by hand as part of an evening or morning routine. In addition, the plants can be offered further protection against snails.
Barriers in the raised bed
Here, for example, individual snail collars can be stuck around the plants or snail barriers made of sheep's wool can be laid out. The sheep's wool makes it more difficult for the snail to move, as it has to produce extra mucus to move forward on the porous, uneven material.
Avoid mulching
Mulch material, such as boards or stones, is often used by slugs as a hiding place, as moisture and warmth are retained there. Therefore, mulching should generally be avoided when snails are infested.
Keep the soil free
By regularly hoeing and removing weeds, you can help to ensure that the snails no longer feel comfortable in the raised bed, as fine-grained, weed-free soil can dry out more quickly . In addition, when chopping, the eggs may also be destroyed at the same time. But you can also try to place a hiding place, such as a board, in the raised bed and turn it around during your regular inspectionspick up the snails.
Slug pellets against slugs in raised beds
The spreading of slug pellets in the raised bed is also an option. However, you should make sure that you only use products with active ingredients that are as environmentally friendly as possible. In addition to conventional products, there are also slug pellets that work with iron-III-phosphate and are approved for organic cultivation. Our Plantura organic slug pellets with the naturally occurring active ingredient iron-III-phosphate cause the slugs to stop eating immediately, retreat to their hiding places without much mucus formation and finally die there. Our product is gentle on pets and beneficial insects and is also particularly reliable thanks to its rain resistance.
Note: Of course, the slug pellets should not be eaten by animals or children.
If you choose this method, you have to be aware that the remedy works on all snails. The useful tiger slugs or house snails such as edible snails would also have to die when used. Therefore, the application is not permitted if these snails are also in your bed.
Home remedies against snails in raised beds
Probably the most well-known snail trap is the beer trap, which we would rather advise against, as it may be more or less effective, but it is also a strong lure and thus only more snails will find their way into the raised bed. Better methods would be, for example, to spread collected coffee grounds against snails or to build a snail trap yourself. For instructions on how to do this and more information, see our related article.
Another effective method, especially useful for animal lovers, is to use walking ducks against snails. Everything you need to know about it is covered in our article.