Found a Snail in my Greens

[luckitri]

Actually I am not sure what it is. It looks like a snail but has no shell and is gray on its back and white on its belly. Its about 1/2 inch but it is humped in snail shape so am not sure. I can clean the greens with salt but these critters usually leave slime and I heard that they can carry disease. I hate to toss these greens. What would you clean them with or would you just toss them? Oh - p.s. - I wasn't sure where to post this as it could be a health issue.

[karenbeel]

They are called slugs, snails without shells and you find them in vegtable gardens they love the damp and just chomp away happily on the veggies, they are little pest, although haven't had any in my garden this yr. As far as washing veg ect try a viggie wash and if you are worried about disease I would add a few drops of Grapefruit seed extract to the water and let the veg soak in that for a few mins and then rinse, that'll kill anything you're worried about. I hope this helps. good luck
Blessings Karen

[luckitri]

Thank you so much! I never saw a slug this size and color before!

[michigan roman]

hi lucki , ive been growing a big garden over a decade now and have always had slugs like you describe inhabiting my lettuces . and im sure ive accidentally aten many of them without knowing and ive never gotten sick at all , so i dont believe the disease statement about them . i think its just over worry .

i just always break each leaf of lettuce off stalk and examine both sides for bugs before cutting for salad , i never wash my garden produce cuz i dont use any fertilizer or pesticide . im more afraid of the chlorine in my tap water then bugs or their slime or any dirt on the vegis .

[dogmd]

hi lucki , ive been growing a big garden over a decade now and have always had slugs like you describe inhabiting my lettuces . and im sure ive accidentally aten many of them without knowing and ive never gotten sick at all , so i dont believe the disease statement about them . i think its just over worry .

i just always break each leaf of lettuce off stalk and examine both sides for bugs before cutting for salad , i never wash my garden produce cuz i dont use any fertilizer or pesticide . im more afraid of the chlorine in my tap water then bugs or their slime or any dirt on the vegis .


Yep.. My dad grew up in texas and tells me that he would just eat them as well. He still grows his garden but has never had a problem with his health (besides prostate cancer) and he is 80 years old now and runs 6 miles everyday still!
I agree with michigan roman. I don't think slugs carry disease that would affect us. That slime layer crystallizes into a salt film pretty fast. Most bacteria can't survive in such salty environments!! I suggest just washing them off and enjoying your greens. My dad says that you can always tell which piece of produce is best by picking the ones that has slugs or snails or beestings etc. If the bugs and stuff like it, Must be good!

[luckitri]

Thanks you two! I especially like the part about them picking the best produce! (But I don't want to eat one.)

[rawpriestess]

Well, your produce is organic then, just pick him off, set him outside, so you don't hurt him, and rinse off your greens if you wish,


If it OOKS you out, then toss the leaf, but it won't hurt you, it will give you B12 is my guess.

I just pick and eat, I never rinse, unless there is sand on the food, or dirt that doesn't brush off.

I fingure, It is more natural that way, and since I'm eating out of my own garden, I KNOW whats in or on my food.

[Xanadu]

I'd just be glad it wasn't an Australian slug. I looked up eating slugs and this is what I came across and it's scary: http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/health/HealthRepublish_969551.htm

[spicyfull]

If you grew this in your garden you can solve your problem simply by not watering in the evening........