Slugs and snails in the garden: limiting the damage

In short: In damp years, slugs can strip young vegetable plants and perennials bare overnight. Combining several measures keeps the damage in check without harming wildlife in the garden.

In more detail: Most of the damage is done by the Spanish slug. Many other species are harmless or even useful because they break down wilted plant material.

In detail

• Useful species: The leopard slug eats the eggs of other slugs and should be allowed to stay. Roman snails are protected in Germany and must not be killed.
• Water in the morning: Watering in the morning instead of the evening lets the soil dry out overnight. Slugs are mainly active at night and in damp conditions.
• Hand-picking: Collecting them at dusk or early in the morning is tedious but effective. Damp boards or clay pots act as hiding places where you can find them during the day.
• Slug fence: A metal or plastic fence with a bent-over edge keeps slugs away from beds. First remove any slugs already inside the fence.
• Natural enemies: Hedgehogs, toads, slow worms, ground beetles and some birds eat slugs. A wildlife-friendly garden with shelter encourages these helpers.
• Choice of plants: Robust plants such as many strongly scented herbs are eaten less often. Young lettuce and cabbage plants are very vulnerable and can be raised in pots first.
• Beer traps: Beer traps also lure slugs from the surrounding area and sometimes catch useful creatures. Many gardeners therefore advise against them.
• Slug pellets: If needed, scatter pellets based on ferric phosphate sparingly; this substance is approved for organic farming. Always follow the instructions.
• Mulch with care: Thick, moist layers of mulch give slugs places to hide. In bad slug years, mulch only thinly (mulchen-im-garten, igel-im-garten-schuetzen, schaedlinge-natuerlich-bekaempfen).