Despite the speeds involved, it’s remarkably difficult to photograph a travelling snail!  

Snails are much aligned but very important contributors to a healthy garden ecosystem. Why?  They decompose plant material and release nutrients into the soil – including calcium from their shells; and, they attract hedgehogs, birds and frogs who love to eat them, into the garden. 

To try to balance out their benefits with reducing the loss of favoured plants, try these tactics: 

Grow vulnerable plants in defensive pots 

Move snails into the compost bin 

Companion planting 

Clear dead leaves to compost bin