Slugs and Snails – Identification and Control

Slugs have soft bodies ranging from 1cm to 16cm long and come in many dark colours, including grey, green, or black. Some even have spots, and one has even been spotted with a leopard print! You can tell where they’ve been by the slimy mucus trail they leave behind. Snails are very similar to slugs but are shorter and carry a coiled shell on their back, which comes in various colours. Both lay many tiny, clear, slimy eggs in dark, moist areas, which can take up to 5 weeks to hatch, and both take up to two years to reach maturity.

---

Symptoms

• Small holes chewed in leaves, shoots, fruits, and bulbs

• Holes gradually get larger as slugs and snails continue feeding

• Shiny, slimy smudge trails on the soil and plants

• Damage mostly occurs overnight, especially on young or tender plants

---

 

Controlling Slugs and Snails

To protect plants, place strips of copper about 20cm wide around the stems of vegetables or around flower pots—slugs and snails avoid crossing copper. A cheaper alternative is to use crushed eggshells or coarse sand, also about 20cm wide, as their sharp edges deter the pests. The width is important because slugs and snails can lift their bodies to climb over narrow barriers.

Another effective method is to remove them by hand. Squashing slugs and snails is highly effective, though squeamish gardeners may prefer catching them using propped-up flower pots or slate tiles in dark, moist areas. You can also dig a hole with a deep container, placing wet cat or dog food or beer inside to attract them; they will either be trapped or drown if the container is deep enough.

For disposal, slugs and snails can be placed in a plastic bag and thrown away, fed to chickens, ducks, or geese, or left in a bowl of salty water until they die. Repeating these steps consistently will reduce their population over time.

---

Tips on Combatting Slugs and Snails

If you’re squeamish, avoid handling slugs with bare hands; use a spade or trowel instead. Water your plants in the morning rather than at night, as slugs and snails are most active in dark, moist conditions. As the soil dries during the day, they are less likely to feed.  Attracting birds to your garden is another natural way to reduce slug and snail populations, while also adding a bit of garden wildlife to enjoy.