Slugs
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Slugs
 Slugs are soft-bodied, slimy pests, which move on a slimy muscular foot and leave a character slim trail. They can vary in color from pink to black, and in size up to several inches/centimeters. Some like the gray-brown field slug live above ground.; while others inhabit the soil.In the day time slugs may be found in cracks and crevices under any shelter where it is cool and damp. At night, especially when damp, slugs will be found feeding and crawling over plants. Slug eggs are laid in clusters in soil cavities. They are spherical, opaque, translucent and colorless. Susceptible Plants- A huge range of plants are liable to be attacked, particularly seedlings, young plants, annuals, perennials, and herbaceous perennials. Slugs also attack tubers and fruit. Symptoms- Irregular holes eaten in roots, stems, bulbs, tubers, buds, flowers, fruit and leaves of a wide range of plants. Seedlings fail to come up or are eaten off. Most damage occurs at night. Telltale slime trails may be seen. Prevention and Control- There is no one single simple method of controlling slugs. Use a range of techniques to protect susceptible plants, especially when young. When sowing seeds, water the bottom of the hole, then cover with dry soil. Encourage quick germination and growth of seedlings and young plants. Plant out sturdy indoor-outdoor transplants rather than sowing directly. Water in the morning; damp soil and plants in the evening encourage slugs and snails. Do not mulch young plants. Protect individual young plants with plastic bottle cloches. Hoe regularly to disturb slime trails that may be used by other slugs and snails to locate edible plants. Dig in winter to expose slugs and eggs to weather and predators. Use traps baited with beer, milk or grape juice, ensure the lip is raised ¼ -1 1/4 in (2-3 cm) above the soil surface to avoid trapping beetles. Surround susceptible plants with bran; remove slugs found in it. Provide alternative food such as lettuce leaves preferably under bricks or slates to keep them moist- when transplanting into an empty bed. Encourage natural enemies such as frogs, toads, beetles, and centipedes. Slug Trap by Oak Stump DE Diatomaceous Earth is odorless and nontoxic and looks like white powder. It is composed of finely milled fossilized shells of minuscule organisms called diatoms. The microscopically fine, sharp edges desiccate the slugs exoskeletons upon contact, and the pests dehydrate and die within hours. The slugs also die when they eat the dust. Biological Control- outdoors and under cover, use Heterorhabiditis megidis, a parasitic nematode. A minimum soil or compost temperature 54F ( 12C) is necessary for the nematodes to effectively control slugs.
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