| After our recent heavy rains, I notice hundreds of tiny snails covering the sidewalk near the plants in my courtyard. They almost looked like little pebbles. I don't know if the rain washed them from the plants or the soil. They remained on the sidewalk after the rain and never crawled away. What are they and how can I get rid of them. |
| I can't tell from your description the exact identification of the snails you've found but I suspect they are Oxychilus cellarius, a non-native snail. They have been found living in soil and vegetation between the curb and sidewalk in local landscapes. They will crawl onto the sidewalk when it warms up and can also be washed out of their hiding places during a heavy rainfall. Why not collect a few of the pests and take them to your local cooperative extension office for positive identification? Contact University of California San Diego County Cooperative Extension, 1700 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101 (858) 537-2500. Helpful folks at the extension office can suggest controls for the pests. |
