Slugs

Slugs are a major economic pest in most horticultural crops. Slugs are primarily pests of vegetable and cereal crops. They feed above and below the soil surface, damaging seeds, shoots and roots. In some crops the main issue is at planting, while in others problems occur during the growing season and/or at harvest.

Slugs favour heavier soil, surviving summer in cracks and under clods; they do not survive well in fine, light or compacted soils. Slugs are not active during the day and damage is often blamed on poor germination or other pests. Slugs are active throughout the year, causing trouble whenever temperature and moisture conditions are favourable.

Slug management is difficult - often single agent control methods are ineffective and a combination of cultural, chemical and biological methods should be utilised to minimise damage.