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Ornamentals & Turf

Slugs can damage plants and be pests in homes, gardens, and greenhouses. They thrive in dark, damp areas and feed on decaying organic matter and plant foliage. To control slugs, remove debris where they hide and maintain sanitary conditions. Chemical baits containing metaldehyde or Mesurol can be used according to label directions. Slugs can also be collected by hand or trapped under boards for physical removal.

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45 views

Ornamentals & Turf

Slugs can damage plants and be pests in homes, gardens, and greenhouses. They thrive in dark, damp areas and feed on decaying organic matter and plant foliage. To control slugs, remove debris where they hide and maintain sanitary conditions. Chemical baits containing metaldehyde or Mesurol can be used according to label directions. Slugs can also be collected by hand or trapped under boards for physical removal.

Uploaded by

mdoll
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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E-45-W

Ornamentals & Turf


Department of Entomology

SLUGS IN HOMES, GARDENS, AND GREENHOUSES


Timothy J. Gibb, Extension Entomologist

Slugs are soft-bodied, grayish or mottled, slimy crea- Sanitation


tures which can sometimes measure up to 4 inches in Slugs can often be controlled simply by eliminating
length. Most slugs, however, become only 1 1/2" or so. their hiding places. Remove rotting boards and debris left
They can become pests in and around the home or in on the ground or stored in the basement. Pay special
greenhouses, not only because they are inherently ugly, attention to keeping the crawl space under the house free
but also because they can damage plants. of trash. The same holds true for the area under the
In most cases, slugs feed on molds and decaying benches in a greenhouse. These materials usually trap
organic matter, but may also feed on the foliage of plants. moisture and promote slug breeding conditions. Keep
They must have a large amount of moisture to survive, gardens weeded and surrounding grass cut short.
and they prefer darkness. Ideal habitats include damp
basements, beneath boards, trash and other debris, and Other Methods
in crevices. In gardens, mulches of leaves, grass, or other Some reports suggest that small pans, canning lids,
organic materials may encourage slug problems. In green- or dishes at least 1/2 inch deep, sunk into the ground at 3-
houses, rotting boards, flower pots, and debris beneath 4 feet intervals, and filled with beer, may attract and drown
the benches usually harbor these pests. Excessively garden slugs. The containers must be refilled after every
rainy and damp weather promotes slug development, rain.
especially if temperatures are high. Slugs also can be controlled by hand-collecting. Do
Slugs are active at night and leave a silver-colored, this early in the morning or after 9 P.M. Trapping them by
slimy trail wherever they travel. These trails can be seen laying old boards between garden rows and collecting the
on foundation walls, basement floors, walks, and even on slugs the next morning is also effective in home gardens.
plant leaves.

CONTROL MEASURES

Chemical Pesticides
Metaldehyde and Mesurol in bait form are the pre-
ferred materials for killing slugs in gardens and green-
houses. Most garden supply centers sell “slug and snail
bait” that contains metaldehyde or Mesurol. Apply the bait
according to the package directions.
A 15% metaldehyde dust is preferred for slug control
in greenhouses. It is not generally available except from
greenhouse suppliers. Three treatments at 10-day inter-
vals are usually sufficient. Wear a respirator, and apply
evenly to surfaces over which slugs crawl.

READ AND FOLLOW ALL LABEL INSTRUCTIONS. THIS INCLUDES DIRECTIONS FOR USE, PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS (HAZARDS
TO HUMANS, DOMESTIC ANIMALS, AND ENDANGERED SPECIES), ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS, RATES OF APPLICATION, NUMBER
OF APPLICATIONS, REEENTRY INTERVALS, HARVEST RESTRICTIONS, STORAGE AND DISPOSAL, AND ANY SPECIFIC WARNING AND/
OR PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE HANDLING OF THE PESTICIDE.
Revised 4/2003
It is the policy of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, David C. Petritz, Director, that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to the programs and facilities
without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, or disability. Purdue University is an Affirmative Action employer.
1-888-EXT-INFO (398-4636) http://www.agcom.purdue.edu/AgCom/Pubs/index.html

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