Dahlias are beautiful to look at, but unfortunately they are extremely popular with snails. They can eat all of the flowers in a single night. Below you will find out how to protect your beautiful dahlias from voracious slugs.
How can I effectively protect dahlias from slugs?
To protect dahlias from snails, we recommend a snail fence around the bed, mulch and coffee grounds as natural barriers and beer traps to catch the snails. Water your dahlias in the morning to avoid moisture that attracts slugs.
How do I keep snails away in an animal-friendly way?
If the slugs have already nibbled on the first dahlias, urgent action is needed. There are several animal-friendly measures that do not cost the snails their lives:
- A somewhat laborious option iscollecting and relocating the snails. To do this, go looking for pests after dusk.
- Coffee is said to deter snails: Dilute one cup of regular coffee with four cups of water and spray your dahlias with it.
- Mulch makes it harder for snails to move.
- ASnail fence permanently keeps snails away from dahlias.
How do I catch snails with a beer trap?
Beer traps are a classic when it comes to fighting snails. You will need a bottle of beer and a bowl.
- Place the bowl near the dahlias.
- You can bury them halfway for a better grip.
- Put the beer in the bowl before dark.
- Check the success regularly and collect the collected slugs.
Only some of the snails attracted from everywhere will fall into the trap. Therefore, collection is mandatory!
Schneckenfalle selber bauen! ? - Schnecken bekämpfen mit Bier - Hausmittel im Test
How do I prevent snail infestation on dahlias?
If you think about the possible impending snail infestation before planting your tubers, you can prevent it from the outset:
- Plant your dahlias in a sunny location that is as far away from hedges and bushes as possible.
- Install a snail fence around your dahlia bed.
- Mulch the bed with bark mulch.
- Another option is to plant the dahlias in raised beds. This is easier to protect against snail infestation.
Tip
Snails love moisture
Water your dahlias in the morning instead of in the evening! The moisture of the irrigation water increases the attractiveness of the bed for snails and makes an infestation even more likely.–How do I protect dahlias from slugs?-Installing a snail fence around the dahlia bed offers the best protection.-Mulch and coffee grounds have been proven to be effective against snails.-You can attract and catch snails with a beer trap.
