Slugs

Constraint – Slugs

Appearance

• Typically slugs are light grey to fawn, with dark brown mottling

• When disturbed the slug will exude a sticky, milky secretion over its body

Symptoms

• Slugs feed above ground on stems and leaves, and below ground on seeds, shoots and roots

• Damage is greatest when seedling growth is slow because of cool, wet or dry conditions

Damage

• Slugs damage newly sown crops and pasture, if population is large damage to seedlings can be extensive

Control

Cultivation prior to sowing, delaying sowing after summer cover has been sprayed out, stubble and weed removal, and baiting are all effective methods for reducing slug populations. When slug pressure is high, baiting alone may not provide total crop protection.

Links and Resources

I Spy Manual - Slugs Page 110. General information on slugs/snails, confused with/similar to, distribution, pest status and risk period, host range, damage, monitoring, sampling, and management. Published 2012.

Insectopedia - Slugs Description, biology, damage, monitoring, control thresholds, and control. Published 2000.