Slug and snail control around the yard and garden
About slugs and snails
Slugs and snails are mollusks belonging to the animal phylum Mollosca along with oysters, clams and other shellfish.
They are easily controlled with little risk to people, their pets and the environment using basic
Habitat
Slugs and snails prefer cool, moist areas.
Food
Slugs and snails feed on plant material—Ornamentals, fruits, and veggies.
Active times of year
Slugs and snails are active from spring through fall.
Slug and Snail Damage
Slugs and snails injure plants by chewing holes of various sizes in the leaves and stems. These holes may be in the middle of the leaf or on the edge. Slug damage may be confused with injury caused by caterpillars. Because slugs often feed at night, the only evidence of their presence may be glistening patches or streaks of dried slime seen on the plants and the ground nearby. If caterpillars are present, they can be seen during the day on plants and in soil cracks near the base of plants; caterpillar droppings can be found on leaves and on the ground.
Damaged tomato
Snail on a damaged hosta
Damaged hosta plants
Managing Slug and Snail Problems
Cultural Controls
Make the area less welcoming to slugs.
- Increase aeration
- Water in the morning
- Water at the base of the plant
- Remove plant litter around the base of plants.
Increase aeration
Thin plants and remove plant material hanging on the ground to improve air circulation.
Water in the morning
Allows soil to dry out, making it less favorable habitat for pests slugs and snails.
Water at the base of the plant
Don't water on the leaves, flowers and fruit.
Mechanical Controls
- Pick off slugs and snails by hand and dispose of them.
- Set out traps in the garden
Board Traps
Lay a board in the garden overnight; remove and dispose of slugs and snails from the underside of the board in the morning.
Pitfall traps
Bury a container level with the soil surface containing 1" of water mixed with a teaspoon of yeast. Remove remnants of drowned snails and slugs after a couple days.
Biologic Controls
Encourage natural enemies of slugs
- Toads, garter snakes, and predatory ground beetles.
- Chickens, ducks and Guinea fowl provide effective control, but also leave behind unwelcome feces and sometime shredded plants.
Chemical Controls
Select a molluscicide that works best for your situation.
- Ferric Sodium EDTA—Effective control within a few days.
- Iron phosphate—Kills within a week.
- Metaldehyde—Kills quickly. Caution: attractive to children and pets. May be harmful if swallowed, absorbed through the skin, or inhaled. Keep children and pets out of treated areas!
Caution
Always follow pesticide label instructions and apply according to the label.
You've decided you need a pesticide to manage a pest but when you go to your local hardware store, you are overwhelmed by the
variety of brand names, liquids, granules, dusts, and container sizes and types.
Related Links
Extension Associate
NYS Integrated Pest Management
- rmc34 [at] cornell.edu