Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Are Snails And Slugs In Compost Bad?

Of all of the pests which frequent my garden, snails and slugs are among my least favorite. By following some practices I first learned about through permaculture, I have managed to achieve a balance between predators and pests for most of the wildlife in my backyard. However, slimy pests don't seem to be kept in control by any natural predators. So when I see snails and slugs hiding out in the compost heap, I get angry.

But Are They Bad For The Compost?

Based on my research it seems that snails and slugs are actually beneficial for the decomposition process.

According to the University of Illinois (https://web.extension.illinois.edu/homecompost/science.cfm) they're actually a natural part of the composting process. They are macro-organisms and make the work of the microorganisms which follow that much easier.

"They are considered to be physical decomposers because they grind, bite, suck, tear, and chew materials into smaller pieces."

This page at Cornell also describes the place of snails and slugs in the decomposition process.

Will They Decimate My Vegetables?

So we have established that snails and slugs are not a problem in a compost pile - in fact they are beneficial. But the next question is whether having the little critters hiding out in your compost puts the rest of your garden at risk.

After some further research, opinions are divided on this point. Some people say that the compost heap is such a haven that they wont want to leave, so your tender vegetable seedlings will be safe. However, those in the opposing camp say that these marauding molluscs wont stay put and will in fact use your bin as a safe base from which to conduct there nightly raids.

So if you're in the second camp and are worried about damage to your precious plants, then here are some ideas for you to try:

  • Locate your compost bin as far as possible from your at risk plants. This will obviously depend on the size and layout of your garden, but it is definitely worth considering.
  • Try sacrificial planting or "trap crops". This involves planting a barrier of something which will distract the snails and slugs from your veges. I've read that nasturtiums and French marigolds work well in this regard.
  • You could upgrade your bin to a compost tumbler type of system. These units are normally well sealed and are difficult for snails and slugs to get into.
  • Introduce predators into your back yard. Ducks or chickens are a favorite among permaculturalists. Again, this is not for everyone - it's not something practical for my set up.
Hopefully, if you're worried, you can try one or more of those ideas. I haven't mentioned the use of chemical pesticides, as I'd prefer not to go down that path.