Slugs. They are the current enemy #1 in my home garden. They are quickly eating through many of my seedlings. I’ve done a bit of research on these little devils and thought I would share what I’ve learned.
![]() |
||
slug damage |
Cultural Control. One tactic is to reduce the favorable habitats where slugs live and reproduce. Since they require moist soil in which to lay their eggs and cool, moist, sheltered sites in order to hide during the day, open up the garden to allow more sun and air circulation so that the soil isn’t damp for extended periods of time. Keep mulch layers shallow; a uniform, one-inch layer will prevent rapid drying around the plants and will not retain excessive soil moisture. Since slugs also feed on decaying plant material, do not mulch with fresh grass clippings where slugs are a problem, and rake leaves from the garden beds in the fall.
Mechanical Control. Traps are a mechanical form of slug control. Trap boards or moist newspaper or carpet samples, about a square foot in size, can be placed around plants where slugs have been feeding. After a couple of days, check the underside of the traps and remove and destroy the slugs that have gathered there to hide. Inverted melon rinds set on the soil will also attract slugs but may make your garden look like a waste site or compost pile.