How To: Control snails & aphids

How to Control snails & aphids

In this video, Extension Horticulturalist Curtis Smith talks with Master Gardener Marsha groves about controlling harmful pests that are damaging to plants throughout the year in both outdoor garden and greenhouse environments. The first part of the video covers the issue of plant eating snails, and how they might best be dealt with. Smith explains that there are a number of non-toxic methods which one can use to rid a plant of snails. The process of introducing predatory creatures such as turtles, or another snail species which feed on the more plant damaging snails is outlined.Smith explains that a product containing iron phosphate is also available for killing snails. this product is actually beneficial to plants, and is not harmful to humans, pets, or birds. After moving on to Aphid control, Smith mentions that a wasp which emerges from the body of dead aphids on a plant will actually kill living aphids. It is explained that plants which host this wasp already can be moved near other plants afflicted with living aphids, as a means of eliminating them from the plants.