If you have a garden, you might know the hassle of slugs and snails eating your precious plants. While they aren’t dangerous to humans, they can slowly wreak havoc to your garden and potentially start an infestation in your home. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these creatures, plus we’ll explore how to prevent or get rid of snails and slugs in your garden or home.
Introduction to Snails & Slugs
Snails and slugs are formally known as gastropods (technically, they’re mollusks). It’s easy to recognize these creatures living near your garden by the slimy trails they leave behind, as well as deadly holes in your plants.
Snails and slugs are very similar – the only real difference is the fact that snails have shells, while slugs don’t. Both have thousands of teeth, typically used to eat organic materials such as leaves and plants. Unfortunately, aphid extermination isn’t the only type of garden pest you need to worry about if slugs and snails are around. However, some slug species (such as leopard slugs) actually eat other slugs as well as dead or rotting plants. They don’t damage living plants and are very beneficial to your garden. This species is easy to recognize due to its leopard-like print.
Why Do Snails Come Out in the Rain?
Both snails and slugs rely on moisture to survive. Their bodies dry out very quickly when they are active without moisture to support them. This is why they only become active when it rains or when you’ve recently watered your garden. In addition, most slugs are typically active at night because it’s cooler and more humid (plus there are fewer predators to hunt them).
If they know there is a food source nearby (like your garden), they’ll hide nearby until the dampness returns. Many slugs are most active in spring and summer due to the increase of plants and garden watering.
Where Do They Go When It’s Sunny?
Another common curiosity is where snails and slugs go when it’s not raining, due to the fact that it seems like they only exist when it rains! When there is no moisture outside, garden snails and slugs go into hiding to prevent water loss and avoid predators.
Snails find cool spots such as empty plant pots, under window-sills, rocks, or in piles of firewood. To reduce water loss, they seal themselves using dried mucus. Snail shells also aid in preventing water loss. Since slugs don’t have a shell, they tend to squeeze into more compact, damp hiding spots that snails wouldn’t be able to reach. They also use dried mucus to protect themselves from water loss.
How to Get Rid of Snails & Slugs
Unfortunately, snails and slugs can become a real problem for some gardens, especially if you live in a wetter area. You won’t always see them due to snails and slugs nocturnal nature, but it’s easy to recognize the trail of slime they leave behind. Since your plants need water to survive, it can be hard to prevent or get rid of snails and slugs. However, here are a few tips.
Remove Hiding Spots
Slugs and snails have to hide somewhere when it’s not damp. If you always find them in your garden, they likely have a nearby hiding spot. Make sure to remove any hiding spots such as rocks, piles of firewood, planters or flower pots, and anything else that can be moved. Sometimes, you can track their trails to find their hiding spots.
Indoor Removal
Sometimes slugs and snails make their way indoors, which can lead to an inconvenient infestation. This typically happens when there are damp areas in the home such as basem*nts and crawl spaces. To prevent this, make sure to seal all cracks and spaces under doors that can be used as entry points. In addition, use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from all areas of the home.
Natural Prevention
There are a few natural ways to get rid of slugs and snails in your garden. For example, diatomaceous earth is a sharp natural powder that will cut and kill slugs or snails that crawl over it. Many gardeners spread it around their garden, but it can be harmful if breathed in. In addition, slugs and snails hate copper because it gives off a natural electric charge. You can try placing some copper wire as a barrier around your garden.
Bring in a ProfessionalIf it seems like they just won’t go away, professional slug or snail removal will typically be needed. Aptive Environmental is a great pest control option with offices around the United States. Plus, we focus on preventing future infestations as well – we are so confident in our services that we will come back at no additional cost if the pest we target comes back.
FAQs
Why Do Snails Come Out in the Rain? Both snails and slugs rely on moisture to survive. Their bodies dry out very quickly when they are active without moisture to support them. This is why they only become active when it rains or when you've recently watered your garden.
Are snails and slugs good for the environment? ›
Slugs and snails are natures clean-up crews and recyclers.
As such, they are a key player in the decomposition process and help to recycle and circulate nutrients into and through the soil, through burrowing, their faeces, dead bodies and shells.
How to get rid of slugs after rain? ›
Slugs love wet weather. There are organic baits made of iron phosphate which are safe for the environment, but still dispatch the slugs. Probably the most popular are Sluggo and Escar-Go. The first is available locally at any garden center and the second through Gardens Alive online.
Why do slugs suddenly appear? ›
How did I get snails and slugs? Moist plant debris, underneath rocks, low weeds, mulch and fallen logs all provide hiding places for snails and slugs. Moisture is a key requirement for snails and slugs since they are adversely affected by dry conditions and the loss of body moisture.
What attracts slugs and snails? ›
Two key things attract slugs: food and moisture. Unfortunately for gardeners, just about every plant – vegetables and flowers in particular – can serve as food for slugs. They are definitely not picky eaters! Any area that stays moist during the day or during lengthy hot spells will be attractive to slugs.
Why are slugs coming in my house at night? ›
Slugs will usually come inside the house for warmth, food or shade. Knowing what attracts them could help keep them at bay. "The yellow cellar slug mostly eats mould and algae but can also be found eating leftovers, pet food and compost," says Hayley. "It is attracted to dark, damp refuges such as vents and drains.
What environment attracts slugs? ›
Slugs are generally active at night when it is cool and damp, although they may be seen during the day in cool, shaded sites. Warm, dry conditions are less favorable to them. Slugs typically spend the winter as eggs in protected sites, like under plant debris, mulch, boards or in the soil.
Are slugs good or bad for your yard? ›
As much as we hate them for the damage they do to our garden plants, we need to recognize slugs as an important part of the ecosystems because many species are decomposers and feed on fallen leaves, dead insects and dead worms. They are also food for snakes, toads, turtles and birds.
What surface do slugs and snails hate? ›
Barriers, thought to repel slugs, include rough or sharp textured mulches and substances considered distasteful or strong smelling but many of these do not have any scientific evidence to prove they are effective. In some studies, copper-based barriers have been shown to repel slugs.
What do slugs hate most? ›
Are You Being Driven Mad by Slugs and Snails? Here are 7 Plants They Hate
- Ferns. Low maintenance, incredibly hardy and well down the slug and snail menu; ferns make an attractive, hassle-free addition to the garden. ...
- Hydrangeas. ...
- Euphorbias. ...
- Lavender. ...
- Rosemary. ...
- Geraniums. ...
- Japanese Anemone.
Pouring salt on a slug will kill it in a matter of seconds, however, it generally takes quite a bit of salt to do so. The salt kills the slug through osmosis – it draws water from inside the slug and rapidly dehydrates it.
Why are there so many slugs after rain? ›
But when it comes to wet conditions it's also great weather for slugs and snails. These animals are particularly sensitive to drying out, so rainy weather is ideal for them to get out and forage, and even hook up with each other.
What is a natural slug repellent? ›
There are a handful of plants which are believed to be a natural repellent for slugs. What you need: Slug repelling plants “ Living Green suggest that wormwood, rue, fennel, anise, and rosemary are the best slug repelling plants.
Do slugs have a purpose? ›
As well as providing a crucial food source for other wildlife, many species are key composters, helping to breakdown decomposing vegetation. There are approximately 40 species of slug currently found in the UK, with only a small number of these considered as pest species.
Are slugs bad to have around? ›
The Problems Slugs Cause
Using their rough tongues, they create smooth holes through leaves and flowers. Slugs may also damage strawberry bushes, tomato vines, lettuce, herbaceous plants, and young trees. The more slugs there are around a property, the more noticeable this damage becomes.
Why are there so many slugs when it rains? ›
Snails and slugs come out when it rains because they need a high degree of humidity to carry out some important physiological activities, such as feeding and reproduction. They also make small holes in the ground to lay their eggs, a task that is made more difficult by hard, dry soils.
Do slugs and snails like rain? ›
Rainy days and wet soil bring the slugs and snails. Rain also spurs on fresh, young, plant growth, which is a delicacy for these pests. Extended periods of rain make it a reason for these pests to celebrate. Cloudy days don't help dry out the rain so the party keeps going!
Are slugs OK in the rain? ›
Slugs are a common garden pest that can cause major problems for gardeners, especially during wet weather. These slimy creatures thrive in moist environments and can quickly multiply, resulting in significant damage to plants and crops.
Why do snails climb up walls when it rains? ›
Snails and slugs come out when it rains so they don't drown. I only learnt this recently. Your wall is probably just the driest bit in reach.
