Gray Garden Slug-Deroceras reticulatus

Spotted Garden Slug-Limax maximus

Identification
• Slugs are soft-bodied, slimy, shell-less snails.
• Gray garden slugs are up to 1" long and blackish, yellow, white, lavender, or purple. (a)
• Spotted garden slugs are up to 7" long and yellow-gray or brown with black mottling. Young are blackish.(b)

Damage
• Slugs eat holes in the leaves of hosta (c), impatiens, violet, marigold, petunia, cabbage, and other plants. (d)
• They scrape through the leaf surface with a toothed tongue called a radula.
• Slugs feed at night.

Management
• Reduce decaying organic matter such as fallen leaves and mulch around plants.
• Space plants farther apart to enhance drying between rains.
• Place copper bands around plants. Extend them 2" above and below the soil line.
• Stale beer in shallow dishes may be effective.
• Chemical slug baits are available, but keep baits away from pets.