Slugs and Snails

Also known as: Garden slugs, land snails

Identification

Soft-bodied mollusks; slugs lack shells, snails carry coiled shells. Silvery slime trails on soil and foliage. Active at night and in wet conditions.

Damage

Rasping — radula (toothed tongue) scrapes large irregular holes in leaves, fruits, and seedlings. Feed primarily at night.

Best Organic Solutions (Ranked)

Solutions ranked by reliability tier — start with Tier A options.

Iron Phosphate Tier A

Sluggo — safest and most effective option

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Tier A

Barrier rings in dry conditions only

Beer Traps (for Slugs) Tier C

Monitoring tool — attracts slugs from adjacent areas

Biological Controls

Ground beetles (Carabidae), firefly larvae, some nematode species (Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita — available in Europe)

Prevention

Remove daytime hiding spots (boards, debris, dense mulch). Water in morning so soil surface dries by nightfall. Copper tape barriers around raised beds (creates mild electrical charge on slime).

Common Mistake

Using metaldehyde slug bait — toxic to dogs, cats, and wildlife. Iron phosphate (Sluggo) is equally effective and pet-safe.