What should I do with these snails?

 

I am sometimes at  a loss of how I should deal with the snails in my garden.  I refuse to put down chemicals, so over the years I have decided the best approach is to pick them up in the morning and throw them away.  Now, my mom likes to put salt on them, but I think that seems cruel.  It is probably not much different than how they would feel once they ate some poison but I have another approach.  Sometimes, I smash them by stepping on the bag or cut them with scissors.  The cutting can be difficult and very messy but I think it may better to die quickly rather than a slow painful death.  Other times I put some leaves in with the bag, seal it shut and throw them away.  Kinda of like a prisoner getting his last meal before being put to death. The whole thing is pretty awful and I actually feel bad about killing them but really I just can’t have them eating my whole garden.  Today, when I went out to get the paper, I noticed they were climbing everywhere.  Of course I am in my pajamas without a stitch of makeup , my glasses on, no bra and crazy looking hair but the next thing you know I am walking in the dirt barefoot picking up all the snails putting them in the newspaper bag.  I just can’t help myself.  I yelled for Tabitha to come out and snap a picture of my progress and  then we mutually decided we should do the last meal approach today.  

 

As for slugs, I really hate them.  They seem so sneaky compared to snails.  They move much quicker and are harder to find in the plants.  I have discovered if you get up really early and walk the perimeter of the grass, they are usually all over the grass making their way back to the plants.  I don’t know why but I don’t feel as bad about killing them.  They are too slippery to pick up, so I always cut them with the scissors.  I have been known to get 100 a morning.  As you can tell I am not grossed out by bugs, or anything slimy, I actually like gross stuff.  Of course, Lou thinks I am crazy, and does not like gross dirty things like me.  He always knows what I am up to when I exit the house at 6am to get the paper and don’t return for 15 minutes.  When I walk back in the house he says ” Tiffani, please wash your hands before you come any closer.”   Duh, like I am not going to wash my hands, really, Lou…

Well, let me know if you have a more humane approach to dealing with snails and slugs, I am sure my hubby would appreciate me coming up with another plan.

 

Happy Sunday…