For decades, troubled gardeners have observed hordes of snails devouring ornamental and crop plants. Moss, on the other hand, is ignored by the slimy pests. As researchers found out, mosses have ingredients with an anti-feeding effect. We would be happy to explain to you how you can use this knowledge to defend yourself against slugs.

Snails avoid moss

Clever defense strategy replaces thorns, bark and poisons

As tiny, rootless spore plants, mosses had to come up with ways to keep predators at bay. Unable to defend themselves against an attack with sharp thorns, thick bark or poisonous sap, green land plants have discovered the effectiveness of oxylipins. If an approaching snail smells just this scent, it will lose its appetite.

With liverwort extract against snails - how it works

Field tests revealed that liverwort contains a high concentration of antifeeding substances. When combined with alcohol, it creates an effective extract that repels snails without killing them. The effectiveness is comparable to the toxic slug pellets (7.49€) that were previously used in the home garden - out of necessity and with a bad conscience. This is how liverwort extract unfolds its effect in ornamental and kitchen gardens:

  • Test the effectiveness starting with a dosage of 5 ml per liter of water
  • If necessary, increase the dose of the natural product until snails leave the plants
  • Spray the plant to be protected in the evening or early morning with the liverwort solution until dripping wet

Incidentally, liverwort extract can also be sprayed on preventively to protect your plants from fungal infections. Organic gardeners report good experiences against powdery mildew, black mold, gray mold or curling diseases.

tips

Moss not only provides effective help in the fight against voracious snails, but also filters pollutants from the air. Various types of moss bind heavy metals, fine dust or even ammonia from car exhaust fumes. Peat mosses form peat, which holds an estimated 400 billion tons of carbon worldwide. Such a quantity of propellant gas would be able to increase the temperature on earth with catastrophic consequences for flora and fauna.

Category:

Vegetable garden