Maybe you have a plague of snails and would like to fight them in a natural way without chemicals. If a pokeweed grows in your garden, then this is quite possible, albeit with a little effort.
The berries, leaves and roots of the pokeweed can be used for the anti-slug decoction
How do I use pokeweed against snails?
Since pokeweed is poisonous, you should handle the plants with care and avoid any skin contact. It is best to always work with gloves, especially if you have an allergy or if your skin is very sensitive.
To combat snails, use the roots and seeds or the berries. Boil these parts and then dry them. When dry, grind the plant parts. Mix four tablespoons of it in one liter of water and pour it over the snails.
The saponins contained in the pokeweed attack the mucous membranes of the snails and their eggs and decompose them. By the way, you are also doing something good for your soil, because this is how you increase its pH value. The microorganisms and soil organisms that are supposed to loosen and mix the soil do not feel comfortable in acidic soil.
Will my pokeweed grow back afterwards?
The pokeweed is quite fast-growing and very prolific. So she will recover quickly, especially if she feels comfortable where she is. Here it can even happen that the pokeweed begins to proliferate and crowds out other plants.
In this case, you should at least prevent the further spread of the pokeweed. If the plant grows too much, then at some point it will be time to fight it. Young pokeweed can often be easily pulled out in early summer, but older ones have to be dug up.
Fighting snails with pokeweed:
- Pokeweed are considered poisonous!
- Avoid skin contact
- work with gloves
- Seeds and roots suitable for fighting snails
- Saponins break down the mucous membranes of snails and their eggs
- Boil, dry and grind roots, berries and/or seeds
- also increases the pH of the soil
tips
If you have a lot of snails and pokeweed in your garden, then use the plants as a natural remedy against your snail plague.