How do you get rid of these white slugs from the flower beds and lawn?
We have mulch spread out as ground cover and wete advised that the mulch was attracting them.
Or could it be something else.
Any help to get rid of them would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

I don't see any slugs, but shallow trays with beer work real well. So does metaldehyde, but don't use it where dogs and cats can get to it - it will kill them.

CalPolygardener said:I don't see any slugs, but shallow trays with beer work real well. So does metaldehyde, but don't use it where dogs and cats can get to it - it will kill them.

I don't know if it's available in the US, but there's a German chemical company that produces iron phosphate-based baits that really really work on slugs. Very effective and very very low toxicity even for pets.
I don't know why people even bother with metaldehyde anymore considering how effective the stuff is.

Welcome to the site!

Product called Sluggo works well

There are iron phosphate-based baits available in the US but ez10jr is in Canada. Here is a helpful article from Oregon State University. If there's anyplace with slugs, its Oregon.

https://extension.oregonstate....

I use shallow pans of beer to attract snails and slugs also. It catches a lot of other bugs too like earwigs, fruit flies and cockroaches, even some caterpillars. I have caught snails and slugs by laying wood shingles in my garden in the evening and picking them up in the morning.

I find 'attract' such a big word here; as if the slugs come running to your garden from miles away.....Mulch does harbor slugs because it creates an ideal environment for them (shady, cool and moist). But the benefits of it to your soil and plants far outweigh the slug problem and thus removal does not justify it in my opinion.

Beer traps are effective, though such a hassle....I use slug pellets based on iron phosphate. There are also parasitic nematodes available to use on both lawn and flowerbeds. They infect the slugs and breed inside them effectively killing them. This needs reapplying every season and isn't that cheap.

We had dogs when we were growing up so couldn't use slug bait. But my Dad did use slug bait by throwing it over the neighbor's fence. The slugs went under/through the fence and died on his side.

As an adult, with my own yard and dogs, I used to gather the snails up at night and carry them across the street (about 100 ft). In the morning, the crows would have a traveling feast because those snails were headed home, some even made it.

My point is, snails and slugs do travel to find food and also have a strong homing instinct.

Thanks everyone for the assistance, we have tried various sprays and grub or slug deterents and they are still there every morning in the lawn......maybe this year will be different and they will have moved on to brighter pastures

Any pictures of the actual slugs?

No pictures sorry.. it's just turning into spring now so will have to see if they are back this year once the weather gets warmer

I've never heard of "white slugs".

Calif_Sue said:I've never heard of "white slugs".

Slugs come in all colors and sizes: black, brown, tan, orange, white and banana yellow (banana slug; google it) spotted or mottled...

Yup, I've seen all the others, most in person including the banana slug, never have seen or heard of white. Googled those so now I know.

I'm afraid a lot of "garden pest deterrents" are a waste and just marketing to gentle souls who don't want to kill. But if you have way too many slugs, I think you should get the iron phosphate.

Pest creatures aren't easily deterred- they spend all waking hours trying to eat, dig, or whatever will improve their situation.

I use this stuff around some of my Hostas that don't appear to be slug resistant. I lost a couple of Coral Bells from slugs eating them to the ground, so I don't risk it anymore (I don't like to use chemicals, but sometimes I have to resort to that).

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Corry...

It says it uses Sodium Ferric EDTA. It seems to work!

Sorry, had to share.

That's funny!

Maybe you could just mix a little water and ammonia and spray those slugs when you take an evening stroll through your gardens. That is when most slugs come out to eat. If you miss any, get them early in the morning on there way back to the space or shade where they spend the day. It works and my dog stays away, cause it makes her sneeze. Does not seem to harm the grass or the plants.

Thanks everyone for your help and input on getting rid of slugs. Seems they are gone and either moved on to greener pastures (Lawns or gardens). Thanks again