Pest Control for Slugs and Snails in the Garden

Slugs and snails, members of the mollusk phylum family, are among the most bothersome pests in many gardens. They attack lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, strawberries, and others. In ornamental and flower gardens they prefer hostas, lilies, dahlias, salvia, and marigolds. Plants that have been under stress, due to lack of watering, too much shade, excessive fertilizer, or recent planting, are especially susceptible to slug damage. Impatiens and ferns are not usually attacked.

Slugs and snails appear in early spring when the temperatures are consistently above 40 F (5 C) and are most active at temperatures between 60 F and 70 F (17-20 C). Typical hiding places are on the underside of leaves at the bottom of the planting bed, under loose leaves, and other garden debris. In summer, they tend to be most active at night, on cloudy days, and right after a rain storm.

Pest Control for Slugs and Snails

Slugs and snails lay 80-100 eggs up to 6 times per year in the top soil layers. Although it takes about 1-2 years for them to mature, it is not difficult to see how significant damage can occur if the population is not kept in check. While individual methods can produce good results, real control is usually only had if the war is waged on several fronts simultaneously.

• Handpicking - Wear gloves as the mucous can be extremely sticky and almost impossible to wash off your hands.
• Choice of Plants - Planting flowers that slugs and snails dislike is an effective way to protect your garden, but choices may be limited this way.
• Traps & Barriers - Fill deep saucers with beer and sink them into the ground every 10 sq foot. If the traps are even with the soil, the slugs and snails are attracted to the beer and will fall in and drown.
• Baits - Those containing the active ingredient 4% metaldehyde are most effective and can attract slugs up to 3 feet away.

With careful attention and a mix of these methods, slugs and snails can be managed in the garden.

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