Gardeners are prepared to turn a blind eye to the occasional snail but what about if you have them multiplying rapidly and consuming far more than would be considered a polite guest?
Let’s dive into the different methods for getting snails under control. Snail baits being the most common, readily available in nurseries and hardwares, but are they safe for pets and other wild animals?
Not always. Read on.
This is the most common bait you’ll find in stores, mainly because it’s fast, effective and cheap. But if you’ve got pets, be careful—this one is TOXIC. Even small amounts can be fatal to dogs and cats. Just 1 teaspoon is enough to kill a small dog.
The manufacturers add extreme bitter deterrents to these snail baits which in theory should make them unpalatable to our pets. They also give warnings to not get it on your hands as it will leave a lingering very unpleasant taste.
The poisoning risk doesn’t just stop at pets—it can affect wildlife too. Birds like tawny frogmouths and reptiles like blue-tongue lizards can get poisoned if they snack on snails that have eaten the bait. Even though the bait has a bitter deterrent to repel pets, any wildlife that feeds on snails are still at high risk.
How It Works: Metaldehyde dehydrates and kills snails by disrupting their mucus production.
Effectiveness: Highly effective but loses potency in wet conditions.
Risks: Extremely toxic to pets, wild animals, and beneficial insects.
Apply sparingly – scatter pellets lightly rather than piling them up.
Place bait in hidden areas – under pots or near plants where pets can’t reach.
Use bait stations – keep pellets out of reach with enclosed, covered traps.
Monitor treated areas – check regularly for dead snails and watch for signs of pet poisoning. (see below)
Iron-based bait is effective even in wet conditions and won’t harm your furry friends (just check the label to make sure there are no added attractants that might tempt them). If you want to keep your pets safe while still dealing with snails, this is a better option than the Metaldehyde-based baits.
How It Works: Snails eat the bait, stop feeding, and eventually die.
Effectiveness: Works well in moist environments and remains active after rain.
Risks: Low toxicity to pets and wildlife, making it a safer choice for home gardens.
Apply sparingly – scattering the pellets around plants
Place bait in hidden areas – under pots or near plants, away from pets.
Use bait stations – enclosed traps keep pets safe while targeting snails effectively.
OCP eco-shield organic slug and snail killer 500g
✅ Controls snails, slugs and slaters
✅ Active ingredient: iron powder
✅ Does not contain methiocarb and metaldehyde
✅ Pellets break down into nutrients for soil and plants
✅ Safe to use in vegetable gardens
✅ Made in Australia
✅ Approved for use in organic gardens (ACO)
Active Constituent: 10g/kg iron powder
If you are going to use snail baits make sure you don't create any piles in the garden.
The pellets should always be sparsely scattered and it is very important to store the open pack of snail bait in a locked cupboard so there is no chance of your pets getting access to a large enough quantity that would harm them.
Snails hate crawling over rough surfaces which is why crushed eggshells have been a creative way for gardeners to block snails. Creating a ring of broken egg shells around new seedlings is like a barbed wire fence. The same goes for diatomaceous earth.
A bit like static electricity off of new carpet, snails get a mild electric shock when they try to cross a strip of copper.
Snails are very attracted to beer so putting a little out for them to sample leads to a very drunk snail which happily swims in the beer till they drown.
The Beer trap option is safe for other animals and quite effective when you use a dedicated Slug and Snail Trap. These traps are designed to catch snails before they can do any damage, providing a more sustainable way to control snail populations.
Partially bury your snail trap in the veggie bed, remove the lid, and pour in some beer. The snails will crawl in, enjoy their drink, and the trap will naturally do the rest. It’s a win-win for both your garden and the environment!
If you’d prefer a more humane approach, there are a few ways to deal with snails kindly.
Freezing – Pop snails in a container and freeze them. The cold slows their bodily functions, leading to a peaceful end.
How do you find the snails? - Lay some squares of corrugated cardboard in your garden and lightly water them. The snails find the paper and glue to be irresistible and you will find them feasting on the underside of the cardboard.
Clove Oil – Just mix 5–10 drops of pure clove oil with 1 litre of warm water, give it a good shake to mix it up. You can pour the solution straight onto the snails, or pop them in a container and submerge them in it. Leave them in for about 5–10 minutes, and they’ll be sedated and humanely euthanized. It’s a slower approach, but it’s gentle and works well—as long as you’re using pure clove oil!
Beer Traps – Snails get one last drink before meeting their fate. Set up a shallow dish of beer at ground level, and they’ll be lured in for a swim. They’ll dive right in and won’t make it out. See above.
Let Nature do it – Birds, lizards, and frogs are all big fans of snacking on snails. Why not make your garden a welcoming spot for them? A bit of wildlife-friendly habitat can help keep the snail numbers in check without the need for chemicals.
This depends on the type of snail bait they have consumed.
If you think they have eaten metaldehyde-based bait treat it as serious and take them straight to the vet.
The usual symptoms include “drooling, vomiting, panting, and anxiety, which can progress to include depression, a wobbly gait, or the characteristic muscle tremors, seizures, and hyperthermia” (VCA Animal Hospitals).
For iron-based snail baits there is very little risk. In small amounts it is unlikely that your pet will be affected. Larger quantities - for example if they were to get into the box of pellets - are likely to cause some discomfort by irritating the mucous membranes. Just make sure they are drinking plenty of water and it should flush the bait out of their system with no lasting damage. If you believe your pet has been eating the pellets repeatedly and is showing signs of discomfort, take them to a vet.
