Slug

*Deroceras sp., Arion sp., Milax sp.*

Content coming soon for this insect guide.

Insect Profile

Beneficial Rating

-5 Pest

Active Months

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

US Distribution

Pacific NorthwestNortheast

Habitat Preferences

gardensmeadowsforestscultivated areasagricultural fieldsroadsidesparks

Taxonomic Group

Slug & Snail

Order

Pulmonata

Family

Agriolimacidae

Lifecycle

Slugs are hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs. They lay eggs in clusters of a dozen or more in moist, sheltered locations near the soil surface. The eggs are small, round, and pearl-like. Depending on environmental conditions, eggs can hatch in as little as two weeks or take as long as a month; eggs laid in late winter may take up to five months to hatch. The life cycle consists of three stages: egg, juvenile (neonate), and adult. Newly hatched slugs, called neonates, primarily consume algae and fungus but will also feed on young plants. As they mature into juveniles, they continue to feed on a wider variety of plant matter. The time to reach maturity can range from 3 to 12 months. Slugs can have up to two generations per year and typically live for 6 to 18 months.

Overwintering Strategy

Adults and eggs overwinter in protected places such as in burrows, under decaying vegetation, clods of earth, stones, boards, logs, and loose bark.

Native Range

Europe, North Africa, and the Atlantic Islands

Attracted By

hostaspetuniasmarigoldsbeanslettucecabbagetomatoespepperssquashdamp and warm weathershelter (loose boardsbricksstonestrash pilescompost pilesweeds)beer

Repelled By

alliumsgarliconionschivesrosemarythymemintlavenderartemisiascented geraniumslemon balmcopperdiatomaceous earthcrushed eggshellscoffee groundswood ash

Organic Control Methods

Several organic methods can be used to control slugs. Handpicking them at night is a direct and effective approach. Creating barriers that slugs will not cross is another strategy; these can be made from copper strips, diatomaceous earth, crushed eggshells, coffee grounds, or wood ash. Traps, such as shallow dishes of beer, can be set to attract and drown slugs. Encouraging natural predators like toads, some beetles, parasitic flies, birds, chickens, and ducks can also help to reduce slug populations. Finally, maintaining a clean garden by removing potential slug habitats like loose boards, bricks, and piles of trash or compost will make the environment less hospitable for them.

Companion Planting

Companion planting with alliums (garlic, onions, chives), fragrant herbs (rosemary, thyme, mint), and aromatic plants (lavender, artemisia, scented geraniums, lemon balm) can help deter slugs. These plants have strong scents that slugs dislike, creating a protective barrier for more susceptible plants.