Overview

• Heavy summer rains have triggered an explosion of invasive Spanish slugs that can decimate seedlings and leafy crops overnight.
• Barrier methods such as metal snail fences and collars create a chemical-free perimeter around vulnerable young plants.
• Early-morning or evening hand removal of adult slugs and targeted destruction of egg clutches in damp hiding spots delivers immediate population relief.
• Experts advise against all slug pellets—including iron-phosphate formulations—due to toxicity risks for pets, wildlife and beneficial snail species.
• Sustainable prevention hinges on planting slug-resistant crops, scheduling watering in dry hours and fostering natural predators like ground beetles and birds.