Snails & Slugs: End the Slime Trails

By Sharon Asakawa

SlugsWhile spring-cleaning in the garden, you have probably lifted up many a pot and saucer and discovered slugs have invaded and made themselves at home amongst the dark, moist places. Likewise their shelled cousins are leaving their snail trails in order to make a buffet out of your prized foliage and beautiful flowers. And even more frightening is the fact that every adult slug or snail is capable of laying hundreds of eggs.


Here are some effective remedies that will stop them dead in their tracks:

1. BEER How about death by drowning? Use a pie tin or shallow can, bury it at least half-way to make it easier for the slime pests to slide in and add beer (any brand will do). Snails and slugs love the smell and taste of beer and drown in the “brewski” pool. Don’t feel guilty, they die happy!
2. COPPER TAPE Electrocution is another option, particularly around trees and shrubs. Wrap copper tape or wire (available at retail garden centers or hardware stores) around the base of the plant. The copper gives off an electrical charge when a snail or slug attempts to cross over it. Quite a shock for them!
3. NEWSPAPER Moisten a newspaper, roll it up and set it out at night. In the morning, there will be slugs, earwigs and sowbugs since they all like to spend the day in warm, moist, dark places. Simply toss their newspaper motel in the trash the next morning.
4. IRON PHOSPHATE Any snail and slug molluscicide that contains iron phosphate such as Ortho’s Slug and Snail Killer is not only an effective organic remedy, safe to use around children and pets, it also degrades into a natural fertilizer.
5. DECOLLATE SNAILS Decollate snails are called killer snails because they prey on other species of young snails and their eggs. Available in most Southern California areas, but not allowed in many Northern California counties because they also prey on some protected snail species. Check with your local Agriculture department or Extension Service and do not use snail/slug bait if you have decollate snails.