Yes, some slugs eat other slugs, a behavior known as slug cannibalism or predation, with species like the Leopard Slug being well-known for preying on smaller slugs and snails, while other slugs might eat dead slugs or even other worms, making them omnivores in the slug world.
The leopard slug (Limax maximus) takes this a step further – it eats fungi, lichens and dead plant material, but is also reported to eat other live slugs. Savage!
Slugs seem quite happy to eat dead slugs (you can see them tucking into squashed comrades on the ground) so I presume the dead slug soup smell attracts them. Slugs and snails are at their very worst in late spring when there is plenty of tender new growth for them to eat (including my seedlings!)
You shouldn't kill slugs because they are essential decomposers that recycle nutrients in the soil, improve soil aeration, and serve as a vital food source for wildlife like birds, frogs, and hedgehogs, though some gardeners resort to humane removal when populations threaten crops, as they play a critical role in ecosystem health.
As much as we hate them for the damage they do to our garden plants, we need to recognize slugs as an important part of the ecosystems because many species are decomposers and feed on fallen leaves, dead insects and dead worms. They are also food for snakes, toads, turtles and birds.
Slugs on average have a life expectancy of about 12 to 18 months, but in some instances, they have been found to live for as long as six years.
The most slug-resistant plants include foxgloves, lavender, roses and alliums.
Slugs have pain receptors, so salt could be really painful for them.
The simplest description is that slugs are snails without shells. Some of these mollusks do, in fact, have a shell, but those that do have internalized the shell and use it to store minerals.
Wet conditions caused by excessive shade or poorly drained soil can increase slug numbers. Look for slugs under plants where it is shady, cool and protected. The risk of slug feeding is higher during times of cloudy and rainy weather. Slime trails are signs of slug activity.
While slugs themselves don't pose a significant risk to humans by touch alone, they can potentially carry parasites that might be more concerning if ingested, such as through unwashed produce. Therefore, maintaining good hygiene practices is key. If you handle them, just ensure to wash your hands afterward.
Slugs and snails are hermaphrodites and can self-fertilise, but they do often mate – probably because natural selection doesn't favour inbreeding.
This mucus is also used as the slugs navigation system, as slugs will find their way back to their tunnels and feeding sites by following their mucus trail.
They cause a lot of damage to garden plants and crops, but they also help to clear away rotting vegetation and are themselves a valuable source of food for toads, slow-worms, beetles and birds.
Pouring salt on a slug will kill it in a matter of seconds, however, it generally takes quite a bit of salt to do so. The salt kills the slug through osmosis – it draws water from inside the slug and rapidly dehydrates it.
Slugs are known to feed on a wide range of plant materials, but they particularly favor moist and decaying vegetation. They also have a preference for fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, lettuce, and cabbage.
Tetrodoxin (TTX) poison and sea slugs
Cawthron Institute identified the toxin in the sea slugs as tetrodotoxin (TTX), which is also found in other animal species such as tropical pufferfish and the Australian blue-ringed octopus. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a neurotoxin.
Adult slugs overwinter and can lay clutches of eggs when environmental conditions are right. A slug's life expectancy is from 6 to 12 months, and some up to 18 months.
During dry periods or hot days, slugs look for cooler, moist places to survive, and our homes provide the perfect refuge. At night, when these creatures are most active, they can slip through incredibly small openings.
As vinegar is mildly acidic, it will kill any snails or slugs it touches. However, vinegar is toxic to vegetation, so only spray snails or slugs that haven't yet reached your plants.
6 – Instant Death. If you prefer to permanently get rid of slugs the most humane method is to cut them in half causing instant death.
Molluscs. Slugs and snails have an opioid receptor system. In experiments on different terrestrial snails, morphine prolonged the latency of the snails' raising their foot in response to being placed on a hot (40 °C) surface.
Perhaps more exciting than the positive effect of coffee grounds as a compost and soil amendment, is its potential as a slug killer, Brewer said. Research shows that using a 1% to 2% solution mixed with water as a soil drench caused 100% of slugs to leave the treated soil and subsequently die of caffeine poisoning.
Slugs are nocturnal, typically feeding from dusk to dawn. They may also feed during rainy or overcast days. During the day, slugs hide in soil crevices and under crop residue, which is why reduced- and no-till fields are at greater risk for damage (Photo 4). They prefer high humidity and temperatures below 70°F1.