Thursday, June 28, 2007

Bug's Life

I have a problem in my yard. In the form of little snails. They are everywhere. The kid 2 doors down even likes to come to my yard and look for them. Fabulous.

I wouldn't mind them and their slimy trails so much, except that they are eating my basil! Ironically, no other herbs have snails feasting on them. Not sure why, but they have good taste, the basil is my favorite, too.

We are also having major issues with mosquitoes (who isn't?). But as we have yet to do anything with the drainage problem in our yard, we have standing water in both the front and the back yards, as well as the ditch in front of our house, every time it rains. And, as you all know, it's rained A LOT the last few weeks.

So, this all meant that I needed a trip to my local gardening store. Which I did today, and came back with a veritable arsenal of defenses against these pesky pests. Who knew there was such a thing as snail bait?!? You did? Well, I didn't. That's what happens when you don't have a yard, or even plants for that matter, for 3+ years.

Here's hoping it works, because I want to be able to take the Drew Bear outside of an evening without having him eaten alive by mosquitoes, and I REALLY want to be able to use all my basil for yummy things like pesto and tomato sauce.

8 comments:

japruf said...

this sounds like it will be problematic until the drainage is addressed. chemical defenses are probably effective, but not so good for the environment, or small children in the grass with them...

Besides, you'll just have to keep applying the defense until the drainage is solved.

You might want to try a bird feeder with seed selected for songbirds. Songbirds also eat snails, so if you get a bunch around it would help, and you'd have pretty birds.

Of course, you could just go french and eat them yourself...

Jillie Bean (AKA Bubba's Sis) said...

Season them with the basil.

japruf said...

they're already infused!

Pigs said...

I thought you were supposed to put out low containers of beer to attract snails. Then they fall in and drown. Seriously.

Katie Lady said...

Pigs,

Now why in the world would we waste good beer on infestations? Crazy talk.

Japruf, to ease your mind, I got all natural remedies for both the 'squitos and snails. Pet, and baby, friendly. however, until DB is crawling, there shouldn't be any problem with chemical things outside of the house, as he can't get into them anyway.

We are addressing the drainage problem forthwith.

Jillie Bean (AKA Bubba's Sis) said...

You have to use the cheap beer for that. If Granddaddy Great leaves any of his beer here when he goes home we'll get it to you.

Editor in Chief said...

Let's clarify a bit. When it stops raining the water drains, it is not permanent water, except for the ditch in the front, which we don't have too much control over.

Pigs said...

Well, I don't know. Maybe start saving your backwash. :o)