Ask Extension for answers to commonly asked questions.

Snail and Slug Control

Source: NDSU Extension Service Horticulturist

Snails and slugs are one of the common garden pests that have proven quite difficult to control. These pests hide under rocks, boards and garden debris during the day and feed on plant material at night. They can be found eating large ragged holes in leaves or devouring young seedlings.

There are many species of snails and slugs. The bodies of both these pests have similar characteristics, with the snail's body being protected with a shell one-half to one inch long.

Slugs do not have a shell. The body of these pests are usually grayish and worm-like in appearance. They can be found in flower gardens, vegetable gardens and in the lawns.

Gardeners can obtain partial control by a combination of removing hiding places and using baits. Total control is difficult to achieve. The removal of rocks, boards and debris from the garden area will reduce the number of hiding places.

If only a few slugs are present in a garden area, you may want to trap them by laying boards or rocks between the rows. The slugs or snails will tend to crawl under these during the day. Each day the boards and rocks can be lifted and the pests removed and destroyed.

Baits such as Bug-Getta are registered for use in controlling snail and slug populations. These bait materials attract the pests and will provide partial control. Always apply according to label directions. Beer placed in shallow foil pans imbedded in the garden soil to ground level also can be helpful in reducing slug populations in a garden.

For future reference, you may want to obtain a copy of Extension bulletin H-887, "Controlling Slugs in Home Gardens," which is available at your county office of the NDSU Extension Service.

Back to Vegetables Menu
Go to Ask Extension Index Page
For More Information Contact your North Dakota County Extension Office of the NDSU Extension Service for additional information or see our main NDSU Web Page for publications and articles on Agriculture, Horticulture, Youth and Family, Business and Community and Food and Nutrition at  http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/