Gardeners dislike just about anything that makes a meal out of their plants. There is one small creature that has a big appetite. Slugs will munch on everything from seedlings to mature plants.
Slugs are mollusks and are related to snails. Unlike snails, slugs do not have shells. Their length and color varies.
Slugs prefer dark places and are found under boards, stones, mulch or flowerpots among other places. A good indicator of their presence is slime trails, which they secrete and leave behind as they move around.
Slugs feed mainly at night and will eat a variety of plants. They typically chew ragged holes in leaves, especially those near the soil surface. You'll get the best results by using a combination of control. Effective methods include sanitation, trapping, handpicking, barriers and baits. If you're not the squeamish type, handpicking can be very effective, if you don't have a major infestation of slugs. Head into the garden an hour or so after dark armed with a flashlight and a pail of water. Pick the slugs off your plants and drop them into the bucket. If you have a major infestation, you may need to add other controls to handpicking for effective control.
Most retail garden centers sell commercially prepared baits in pellet or liquid form. These baits are useful but can be toxic to pets and children if eaten. Baits may contain mesurol or metaldehyde and should be placed after a rain or after watering when slugs will be more active. Read and follow the label instructions carefully if you use any of these products. Beer is a popular option and research has shown it can provide good control. Sink a shallow dish such as the ones microwave meals are packaged in the ground so the top is at ground level. Fill the container with beer. The slugs will be attracted to the beer, crawl into the container and drown. Refill the container as needed.
Eliminating habitat will help reduce the number of slugs around your home and yard. Remove decaying wood and other debris on shady grounds. Thin plants to allow for more light and air movement. Don't put heavy mulch layers around susceptible plants. An effective trap is a small piece of board or similar material. Lay on the ground in areas where you're finding slug damage. Each morning, flip over the boards, collect the slugs and destroy them.
