Managing Slugs in the Garden and Beyond

To many people slugs are unattractive and unwanted garden pests. Their extended eyestalks and slimy bodies are distinguishing characteristics. Slugs may be described as “snails without shells” or “mucus machines.” I like to think of them as “slimy thugs.” Their unwarranted attacks on defenseless crops can be excessively brutal and their footprints (slime trails) are always left at the crime scene. Some of the most infamous thugs include the gray garden slug (Deroceras reticulatum, Picture 1a), banded slug (Arion fasciatus, Picture 1b), marsh slug (Deroceras leave, Picture 1c), and dusky slug (Arion subfuscus). A good detective can readily distinguish slug damage from that of cutworms or other pests by the presence of footprints. However, unlike traditional thugs, their brutality and violent behavior is not directed at innocent citizens but mostly cultivated plants. Although slugs have a range of favorite foods, including cabbage, cereals, lettuce, green vegetables, strawberries and root vegetables, they tend to mostly attack seedlings. Their feeding habits can cause serious damage in several cropping systems. Slugs contain a high percentage of water and require contact with moist environments to avoid desiccation. To avoid drying out from overexposure to heat and sun, these creatures spend Picture 1a–1c. Gray garden slug (Deroceras reticulatum),