Sharon,

They can be targets (but broad-leaved plants like your K. l. are favourites of snails), but your vigilance is generally all that's needed. If you have some copper tape / narrow flashing you can encircle an area with it (snails won't cross it). Snail poison is also an option, but if it gets that bad just put out a low pan of cheap beer - you can then gather them at the bar and dispose of them as you wish.

I had to resort to snail and slug bait. I used Ortho Bug-Geta Gone (what a name!). I didn't realize how many snails and slugs I had in my area, but I am on water and in Florida and should have known. Beer didn't work for me - too many snails. I needed a keg!

I have found every size from a quarter inch to almost the size of a fifty-cent piece (remember those?). The Ortho did the trick. I sprinkle it around the plants, not on them. The snails loved all of my succulents, but especially the K. luciae.

I wish I had taken a picture, but I had some slugs that were fully six inches long! Really creeped me out. It's blurry, but here is one of the snails that was bothering my plants -

Thanks for all the advice! I will have to get some repellent/poison to sprinkle around our plants. I heard that there are brands that are not toxic to humans and pets, which is good to know since our neighbors have a toddler. And I take it that this copper tape can be purchased at Lowe's or any other garden center.

It's just really interesting that I have never had a problem with snails until now.

Copper tape's more likely to be found in electrical shops, Sharon. I don't think it's in the BBS's interest to offer natural remedies when poisons can be sold.