Update: My balcony herb planter turned into a snail hotel
I used to think snails were no big deal on a high up balcony, just let them be. Then I planted some basil and mint in a long planter box last month. Overnight, it looked like a snail convention moved in, with dozens of them munching away. I found one curled up inside a hollow stem like it was checking out. After a week, my herbs were full of holes and the snails had even left shiny trails all over the railing. I tried picking them off by hand, but more kept showing up. Now I put out little bowls of beer to trap them, which feels ridiculous but actually works. I guess sometimes the weird tips are worth trying after all.