Slugs are nocturnal and feed at night when we can't see them. They prefer cool, dark, moist hiding places during the day. Cool, wet spring conditions are ideal for slugs, resulting in early, serious damage to plants.
On sunny days they will retreat to moist shaded areas. During cold weather slugs and snails hibernate in the topsoil. Snails and slugs occasionally enter buildings in search of food and will remain in any areas where damp conditions occur, for example a damp cellar or behind kitchen appliances.
During sunny days and hot summer months, slugs and snails shelter where they can stay cool and moist. They come out at night or when clouds or fog roll in.
Slugs invade homes for a number of reasons, but usually because there's something good that they want inside. Slug love dark places, and they enter homes at night because they're dark and very inviting. They also come in because houses have moisture problems – slugs love moist environments!
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 dislike plants with heavily fragranced foliage, like many common herbs. They also dislike plants with fuzzy or furry foliage. Slugs are a favorite food of many different predators. Encourage birds, snakes, lizards, toads, frogs, ground beetles, and other natural predators to make a home in your garden.
Slugs and snails are very important. They provide food for all sorts of mammals, birds, slow worms, earthworms, insects and they are part of the natural balance. Upset that balance by removing them and we can do a lot of harm. Thrushes in particular thrive on them!
It takes about a year for slugs to mature into adults, which can live for about two years. Slugs can be serious garden pests, eating seedlings, plants and fruit and vegetable crops.
When there is no moisture outside, garden snails and slugs go into hiding to prevent water loss and avoid predators. Snails find cool spots such as empty plant pots, under window-sills, rocks, or in piles of firewood. To reduce water loss, they seal themselves using dried mucus.
Slugs and snails love many of the plants that are typically cultivated in raised beds. This is why they usually find their way into these beds. Specific barriers can be added to the design to block access to the beds; for example, a slug fence.
Snails and slugs are most active at night and on cloudy or foggy days. On sunny days, they seek hiding places out of the heat and bright light. Often the only clues to their presence are their silvery trails and plant damage. During cold weather, snails and slugs hibernate in the topsoil.
Salt: Pouring salt around your veg will keep the slugs away indeed, but unless your plants like maritime conditions they will die too! Seashells: The sharp edges deter slugs from crossing, but they don't decay like eggshells and can be a serious nuisance when weeding for many years to come.
Two key things attract slugs: food and moisture. Unfortunately for gardeners, just about every plant – vegetables and flowers in particular – can serve as food for slugs. They are definitely not picky eaters! Any area that stays moist during the day or during lengthy hot spells will be attractive to slugs.
Slugs do not bite in a traditional way. Yet, they use a ribbon-like organ to scrape rocks and other surfaces, which can include human skin. Slug bites are not as dangerous as you would think. Among the few occurrences of slug bites, only some people experienced tingling and pulsation in the bitten area.
At the same time a layer of (pedal) mucus is produced that helps to smooth the slugs path across the ground. 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.
It's impossible to eliminate slugs from your whole garden, but you could create a small zone that you aim to keep slug free. Young seedlings and plants are by far the most vulnerable to slug attack, so prioritise the area where they grow, such as the area in and around a cold frame or a raised bed.
There are many types of animals that feed on slugs: beetles (ground beetles, rove beetles, fireflies), toads, snakes, turtles, shrews, ducks, starlings and other birds. Encourage these natural enemies when practical in your garden.
Slugs and snails lay their eggs in moist soil or compost. Their populations can grow rapidly in cool and moist conditions.
A boom in the slug population is always a sign that the natural order of things is out of kilter. By killing snails, all you do is fight the symptoms; you leave untouched the underlying causes of the problem. The natural equilibrium will be even more disturbed because killing slugs also harms their natural enemies.
People, especially children, should be cautioned not to handle snails and slugs, and if they do to wash their hands thoroughly afterwards.
Slugs remain active throughout the year, unlike snails, which are dormant during autumn and winter. Warmer weather, combined with damp conditions greatly increases their activity. Slugs are most active after dark or in wet weather.
Slugs avoid crawling over anything dry, dusty or scratchy, such as lime, diatomaceous earth, cinders, coarse sawdust, gravel or sand. These make great barriers to keep out slugs. Epson Salts sprinkled on the soil will help deter slugs and also help prevent Magnesium deficiency in your plants.
Nematodes are the best way to kill slugs naturally – simply water onto the soil around your plants and let them get to work. Salt kills slugs naturally, however, it takes a lot of salt and should not be applied near your plants. Other methods to kill slugs naturally include beer traps and vinegar sprays.
Most slugs and snails are omnivores — they can eat nearly everything. However, if they have the choice, they turn into real gourmets. For example, cucumbers, tomatoes, and wilting lettuce leaves are at the top of their list of favorite foods.