Slugs

Slugs belong to the gastropod family, just like snails. But, unlike their cousins, they do not have a shell. They range in size from one to thirty centimeters.

Slugs are omnivores. They eat plant tissue, fungi, and detritus… They play a role in the decomposition of organic matter and help enrich soil quality.
The three most common species of slugs in France are:

· the red slug;

· the gray slug;

· the garden slug.

Contributing factors

Slugs are more numerous and dynamic in spring and summer. In fact, they like mild temperatures. When the mercury drops below 5°C, gastropods take refuge in the soil and are less active. Below -3°C, they die.

Another factor favoring slug activity and reproduction is humidity. They take advantage of rainy days to leave their hiding places and feed in your vegetable patch and garden.

How it works

At nightfall, when weather conditions are favorable, slugs come out to feed. Lettuce and cabbage are among their favorite foods. Using their two sets of toothed jaws, they nibble on leaves and roots until they are full. In a single night, they can eat half their body weight!
You might catch slugs in the act at night, in the rain. But you're more likely to notice the damage in the morning. The culprits leave trails of slime all around the gnawed leaves.

Symptoms

Slug damage is mainly visible on the foliage. The cuticle of the leaf blade is cut away and eaten. Only the veins remain.
The invasion causes a drop in crop yield, aesthetic damage or the death of young plants.

Treatment

There are natural methods for getting rid of slugs. Their effectiveness varies depending on the weather and the severity of the infestation.

Slug predators

Hedgehogs, chickens, blackbirds, shrews, and toads feed on slugs.

Eggshells and coffee grounds

Eggshells, ash, and coffee grounds prevent slugs from reaching your plants. You can place them at the base of your plants to hinder the slugs' progress and protect your garden from pests.
But this barrier is temporary. It gets washed away by rain, so you'll need to reapply it after every downpour.

Iron phosphate granules

Organic slug pellets are made from iron phosphate. They are non-toxic to children, dogs, cats, and slug predators.
Place them in a small dish near your most delicate plants. After coming into contact with the iron phosphate, slugs and snails die from dehydration.
Follow the usage instructions on the product to avoid a counterproductive overdose. These organic pellets are sold at garden centers or online through specialty retailers.