Bay Area BYCers!

[PetRock]

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YEAH! That's good news, Cheryl! It sounds like it will be a win win for everyone!

 

[dedicateddourly]

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Hi Lisa,

Bridget, my greedy little Delaware loves snails. She used to help herself to the ones on my artichoke plants. BUT, I don't allow this anymore since reading that snails are hosts to many types of parasites. She's pretty bummed about it

 

[dedicateddourly]

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I sure hope it all works out, Cheryl

 

[lisascenic]

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Can you share where you read this? I'm really thinking of using chickens as a way to reduce my snail population.

 

[jeremy]

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Can you share where you read this? I'm really thinking of using chickens as a way to reduce my snail population.

Ducks or even Guineas would be much more efficient and wouldn't wreak havoc on your garden.

 

[Anna_B_Happy]

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Can you share where you read this? I'm really thinking of using chickens as a way to reduce my snail population.

I only have snails in the front yard now....the hens ate all of them in the back yard.

 

[lisascenic]

I vounteered as a very very lowly worker at the International Bird Rescue Reseach Center, and, for a variety of reasons don't want to keep ducks. Everyone always cites ducks as big snail eaters, but I wonder how much veracity there is to this claim. I know Western Scrub Jays love snails, and that the chickens at Annie's Annuals in Richmond get the snails that the workers pick off of plants.

 

[dedicateddourly]

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Can you share where you read this? I'm really thinking of using chickens as a way to reduce my snail population.

Hey Lisa,

Just yesterday on NPR's Fresh Air, there was in interview with a woman who wrote a book called "Wicked Bugs", and one of the things she talked about was a flatworm that starts off in a bird's gut, then passes through its poop and is then picked up by snails. The flatworm then needs to get into another bird for its next stage of development and somehow makes the snail wave its antennae around to attract the attention of birds. Crazy, huh?

I don't know how prevalent this is, or what percentage of snails carry other parasites, but I'd rather not take the chance. I do know other BYC members have warned against feeding snails and slugs. I'll have to do some digging around. That said, my Bridget didn't suffer any ill effects.

 

[clio]

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I sure hope it all works out, Cheryl

ditto ... thanks for sharing ..

 

[BYC Project Manager]

Hi, everyone.

Popping in to remind everyone about the recognition awards.

We want to validate the efforts and contributions of our members who give sooo much. This community is special because of the efforts of its members, and we all want to honor that.

NOW: get to nominating, if you haven't already!

Remember, each BYC member may nominate one member each month for each of the three recognition categories: BYC Friend, BYC Educator, and BYC Spirit. That's three nominations each month, and we want to see more submissions!

Use the Nomination Submission Form to make your suggestions.

Thanks!