Slugs and Snails

Slugs are soft-bodied, slimy, pale tan snails without shells, ranging in size from 1/4 inch to 2 inches in length. They thrive in moist humid environments and dark areas of dense vegetation, organic matter or mulch. Feeding mainly at night, they leave nothing but damaged plants and dry, shiny slime trails as evidence that they were even there!!

Identifying Slugs and Snails:

  • Holes in plant foliage, fruits and tender shoots.
  • Tell-tale slime trail of mucus on leaf surfaces and plants.
  • No visible signs of slugs during the day. Most slugs are found underground during this time.

Plants affected: (not limited to the following)

  • Vegetables/Fruits: Tomatoes, cabbage, strawberries
  • Perennials and Annuals: Hosta, Ligularia, Armeria, Dianthus

Prevention & Controls:

  • Keeping a clean garden is the first step in controlling slugs. Getting rid of plant debris, lumber, and other materials that slugs can hide under is an important control measure.
  • Cultural/Mechanical Methods:
    • Picking - Go out at night with a flashlight and a bucket of soapy water. Look for slugs on the underside of plant leaves and drown them in the water.
    • Traps - Yeast/Beer - Small plastic tubs filled with either beer or a yeast solution and sunk into the ground up to the rim will attract slugs; they will fall in and drown.
    • Barriers - Copper strips - Pure copper or copper flashing at least 3 inches wide can be used to circle prized plants. The copper repels the slugs by shocking them.
    • Diatomaceous Earth - This mixture of finely ground sea shells can be sprinkled on or around plants. The sharp shells scratch their soft bodies killing them.
  • Chemical Slug Baits various chemical slug baits are available. Active ingredients include either methaldehyde or iron phosphate. Be sure to follow all directions and safety precautions.
  • Natural Predators - include toads, ground beetles, lightning bug larvae, garter snakes, moles, shrews and wrens. Domestic birds like chickens, ducks and geese also feed on slugs.

Suggestions for Success:

  • Start looking for signs of slugs early in the growing season and start your prevention and/or control measures early as well.
  • Sluggo - chemical slug bait
  • Bonide Slug Magic and No Escape - chemical slug baits
  • Concern - diatomaceous earth powder