Among the slowest pests in the garden, snails and slugs can also be among the most damaging, especially to seedlings and bedding plants. Look for their slimy trails leading to irregular holes in young plants. Snails will also eat plant roots, stems, and fruits.
A favorite eco-friendly control measure for these pests is Diatomaceous Earth (DE). “These crushed fossilized aquatic organisms are made of silica with very sharp edges,” explains Kim Flottom in Growing Plants and Flowers. “When applied along garden bed borders or in circles around plants and pots, DE can control and prevent slug and snail damage on your plants. You’ll need to reapply after rain.”