How to DIY Protect a Garden from Insects, Snails and Slugs

1. D.I.Y.
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What you’ll need to get started Planning your next
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on your D.I.Y. Project D.I.Y. Project
The Bunnings D.I.Y. brochures are designed to help you step
Materials
Protect a Garden
the way through your D.I.Y. home projects.
Protective clothing
Gloves They’ll give you the right advice on what materials you’ll need,
how to get the job done and tips and ideas for achieving
Face shield
the best result.
Respirator
How to protect a garden from insects, snails & slugs
Tools
Watering can
Pressure sprayer
Safety
When using pesticides wear protective clothing, gloves, face shield and a
respirator where indicated on the pesticide label. It is important to protect skin
areas and the eyes at all times, especially when handling the concentrated
Expert D.I.Y. advice
chemical.
Take extra care when in a confined space such as glasshouse.
If it’s advice you’re after, come in and discuss the project with
one of our experts. Ask about organising Same Day Delivery, Tool Hire,
Wash thoroughly in warm soapy water immediately after spraying and always Installation or even enrol in one of our D.I.Y. classes.
before eating, drinking or smoking, making sure to scrub all skin areas exposed
during spraying, or better still, have a shower.
If poisoning occurs, follow first aid instructions printed on the label and seek
immediate medical attention.
Always keep tools and materials away from children.
Read the instructions before beginning your project.
BUNN766 01/08
For more information go to
www.bunnings.com.au

2. How to D.I.Y. Snails & slugs whiteflies, cabbage loopers,
thrip, leaflopper, flea beetles and
Protect a Garden From
scale insects. To get these insects
Snail and slugs are your garden’s worst enemies due to their excessive
into your garden use companion
breeding and rapid destruction. They can be particularly damaging to flower
planting. Start by growing herbs
Insects, Snails & Slugs and vegetable seedlings.
like coriander, fennel, parsley
and other flowers such as
daisies, dandelions, marigolds,
sunflowers, thistle, and yarrow
Leaf eaters (Fig 2). Their flowers encourage
There is a wide range Leaf eaters are caterpillars, grubs, leaf-eating beetles, grasshoppers and borers.
these insects to lay their eggs into
grubs, aphids and other pests in
You know you’re in trouble when you can see holes and missing portions in
of highly effective and branches, stems, shrubs, buds, flower petals and fruit. It is important that the
the garden. Once the eggs hatch,
the larvae feast on the host.
problem is dealt with as soon as possible before the damage is irreparable.
innovative products available Fig 2. Planting sunflowers,
daisies and marigolds will
A healthy garden is less likely to
succumb to insect attacks. Keep
for gardeners to care for and Solutions
attract good insects which will
counteract some pests.
plants well fed, watered and
mulched and apply seaweed
protect their plants against Snails and Slugs:
extract as a preventative measure.
insects, snails and slugs. Snails and slugs are most active just before or as soon as the rain arrives and
at night. Here are a few methods to control these two:
Insect traps are also an option to use as a preventative measure.
These pests can be combated Removing the snails and slugs by hand - best done at night with a torch.
Spraying unwanted pests:
Some gardeners make their own organic pesticides that taste so terrible
in the garden by breaking that your pests will move on. Two examples are mixing garlic, chilli
and onion or mixing kelp and neem oil.
Using a container with a
reproduction cycles, getting small amount of beer which
Pyrethrum sprays, which are made from flower extracts, are effective
attracts slugs and snails to
good insects to eat bad fall into the dish and drown
(Fig 1).
but tend to linger, therefore they can damage new arrivals of good
insects.
insects, getting other animals Snail traps are also There are many eco-friendly and chemical sprays available to remove
to eat pests, and making your available through retail
outlets.
all of your garden pests. It is advisable to confirm what your pests are
and then ask your Bunnings Team Member. Always follow dosage
vegetables unpalatable to Sprinkle snail bait around
rates and safety instructions.
under the bushes, wallings
pests. and rock outcrops where
they hide.
Using snail pellets is
Fig 1. Beer attracts slugs. Pour it into a
Please Note: effective, but potentially
small dish and they will come as fast as a
Information in this brochure is Bunnings’ opinion and we don’t warrant harmful to wildlife, pets
snail can!
the accuracy or completeness of that information. Bunnings excludes all and children. Iron based
liability in relation to the statements in this brochure. snail killers are the safest
alternative.
Leaf Eaters:
Some eco-friendly preventative measures can be taken to protect your garden
from these pests.
Several insect and animal predators are extremely effective at naturally
counteracting some pests. These are lace wings, lady bugs, hover flies,
caterpillar parasites, parasitic wasps and praying mantis. The pests that For further expert assistance consult the qualified Team Members at
they pray on can include mealy bugs, mites, moth eggs, caterpillars, your local Bunnings Warehouse.