Like their cousins, slugs, snails are members of a group of animals called mollusks along with oysters and clams. The big difference is that snails have a protective shell to protect their bodies. Both snails and slugs navigate around your plants on a slime trail made of mucus they secrete so that they wont dry out.

Since they need a healthy supply of moisture at all times, you will find them in wet, often shady parts of the garden. They lay their eggs in decomposing mulch or leaf debris and under rocks.

Snails feed on live plant tissue or on decomposing organic matter in the garden.

The major sign of a snail problem is the presence of the snail itself. Most of the typical species are large enough to be seen with a bit of inspection. Also, the slime trails will glisten in the light. Finally, their small feeding holes will become evident with larger infestations.

For control options, use the same techniques for controlling slugs.

Types of Insects

"Name That Bug Page"

Note: We have provided some general information and observations on this topic aimed at the home gardener. Before you take any serious action in your landscape, check with your state's land grant university's Cooperative Extension Service for the most current, appropriate, localized recommendations.

 
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