The Garden Pest That Poses A Threat To Your Porch (& It's Not A Termite)

Encountering a number of different pests around our homes and in our gardens is unavoidable, and we just have to do our best to either live with or eliminate each as they come our way. When it comes to protecting our porches, we immediately think about keeping termites, carpenter bees, and carpenter ants away. However, these commonly known pests are not the only ones you must watch out for on the wood around your property. Land snails are another culprit that can cause damage to your deck if you don't prevent it with proper care. 

It is no secret that snails are some of the worst enemies in our gardens, chewing holes through leaves and gorging on our precious fruits and vegetables. But, you may not be aware that snails will make a meal of wood on your porch as well. Outside of seeing them in action, the most obvious sign a snail is nibbling on your front porch will be the tell-tale squiggly and textured trail they leave behind. This path will differentiate from typical mucin tracks, which are also slivery and sheeny but thinner and smoother. Instead, patterned trails in a snail's wake indicate that they have been using their incredibly small teeth to make a meal of your home.

Although snails will more commonly veer toward plant life and fungi when out for dinner, they do happen across our porches and can munch on them as well. The winding and coarse paths they leave behind are easy to dismiss as mucin trails, but in reality, this is a clear sign a snail is eating away at the wood surface. Those markings come from the microscopic teeth in the membrane along their jaws, called the radula. Snails will likely be more drawn to your deck when algae, mold growth, and rotting wood are present. But even well-maintained and healthy wood can become victim to these mollusks.

With snails being active mostly throughout the night after a rainy day and frequently seeking shelter under our porches, those surfaces tend to be first in their line of sight as they venture out for a snack. Snails need calcium to keep their shells nice and strong, and often, the paints we use in our outdoor spaces contain calcium, which draws in snails to consume it. Snails are undoubtedly some of the most harmful pests our properties face, being tiny and well camouflaged, and having such a wide range of food options while they slink around at night. Fortunately, there are tons of home remedies and store-bought products that can solve this dilemma.

Catching snails in the act of damaging our property while filling their bellies is challenging. They tend to make headway after sunset when the air is cool and humid, concealing their trespassing and making it so that we are rarely present at the same time they are. One of the primary things you can do to prevent snails from nibbling along your porch is to keep it as dry and aerated as possible. Snails thrive in wet conditions, and damp wood is a top-causing factor in wood rot, which snails also love. Thus, maintaining a dry area as much as possible will make a significant difference.

Additionally, many products that are likely already in your pantry will work wonders in deterring and eliminating snails from your outdoor spaces. White vinegar and salt work to dehydrate these pests and are efficient in getting rid of them. Salt can be sprinkled on or around the areas that the snails are intruding on, and white vinegar can either be sprayed directly on them if caught in action, or you can spray vinegar on dryer lint and distribute that around. Snails also hate coffee grounds and any course material they would be forced to move over. They prefer smooth surfaces for traveling, so sand and eggshells will help steer them away. With several home remedies available to you, you really don't need to purchase chemical products. But, if interested, Amazon features numerous options like the Slug & Snail Defense and Corry's Slug & Snail Killer.