Gardeners looking for a natural way to stop snails destroying their vegetable patches are turning to Indian Runner ducks, a breed known for devouring the pests without touching the plants themselves, according to kobieta.wp.pl.
Snails are one of the biggest headaches for garden owners, capable of undoing weeks of work in a short time. They typically feed at night or after rainfall, favouring damp spots, and prefer fresh leaves, tender stems, fruit and vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage and strawberries.
Why Indian Runner ducks work
More people are searching for ways to cut snail numbers without resorting to chemical treatments. Indian Runner ducks, recognisable by their upright posture, speed and intelligence, can bring an infestation under control quickly. Because the breed feeds on molluscs rather than crops, the ducks leave garden plants untouched.
A gardener named Krzysztof told the outlet that a single duck eats between 10 and 20 snails in one sitting and feeds at least three times a day. That works out to as many as 60 snails destroyed by one duck daily, before the pests get the chance to cause damage.
An Instagram user shared a similar experience, saying they keep four ducks that eat several dozen snails a day between them, shells included. The user said that by autumn only a handful of snails remained in the whole garden, and that their ducks were now eagerly waiting for the next batch to appear in spring, calling it the best solution they had found.
Other natural methods
Beer traps offer another chemical-free option, the outlet reported. Gardeners pour beer into a small container and bury it in the ground so the rim sits level with the soil surface. The smell of fermentation draws snails in, and they fall inside and cannot climb out.
Garlic sprays are also popular among gardeners. The strong smell repels snails and slugs effectively, particularly in the evening when the pests are most active.
More pest control tips
Experts have previously explained how to protect gardens from slugs and snails without chemicals, noting that the pests cause the most damage at night when they emerge to feed on young plants. UNIAN has also reported on an everyday refrigerator item that can help against slugs in the garden, describing a simple homemade trap that takes only a few minutes to put together.
