Lyla Lindsey
Slugs are a common problem for gardeners in Australia, where they eat seedlings, new growth, and leaves, stems, flowers, tubers, and bulbs of precious plants. While they are considered pests, they are also a source of food for many animals, including ducks, blue-tongued lizards, frogs, kookaburras, and beetles. In fact, the British Royal Horticultural Society no longer classifies them as pests, and some people are trying to reframe how we see these invertebrates. There are many methods to control slugs in your garden, including creating a healthy ecosystem with habitats for slug predators, using barriers, and handpicking them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Animals that eat slugs in Australia | Ducks, blue-tongued lizards, wild birds (magpies, kookaburras, mudlarks), frogs, beetles, centipedes, blackbirds, thrushes, newts, toads, slow worms, hedgehogs |
| Slug eating habits | Eat living plants and decaying plant matter, cut holes in the middle of leaves, eat seedlings, attack ripening low-hanging fruit, climb vertically, have a preference for young citrus tree leaves |
| Slug appearance | Slimy, silvery trails, range from 50mm to 100-200mm long |
| Slug behaviour | Active for most of the year, particularly a problem in spring, mostly active after dark, avoid the sun, seek shelter in hot, dry weather, can be trapped using inverted grapefruit halves, pots, or wooden boards |
| Slug prevention methods | Handpicking, barriers (diatomaceous earth, crushed eggshells, lime, wood ash, wood shavings, sawdust, copper tape), copper sprays, garlic or wormwood repellent sprays, iron-based baits, sugar-water and yeast traps |
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What You'll Learn
Ducks, blue-tongued lizards, and wild birds eat slugs
Ducks, blue-tongued lizards, and wild birds are among the animals that eat slugs. Ducks, especially Indian runner ducks, are known to eat slugs in gardens, along with snails and other insects. They are considered helpful in controlling slug populations, but they may also consume garden plants, so it is important to monitor their feeding habits.
Blue-tongued lizards, or Eastern Blue-tongue lizards, are native to Australia and can be found in gardens, particularly in suburban areas. They feed on a variety of plants and animals, including slugs and snails. Blue-tongues are vulnerable to poisoning from snail baits, so it is important to exercise caution when using these products if blue-tongues are present in the area.
Wild birds, such as those mentioned in some sources, including hedgehogs, skunks, cats, and dogs, also consume slugs. While some birds may gag while eating slugs due to their slime, others, like ducks, do not seem to be bothered by it. Additionally, beer may make slugs more palatable to some birds.
It is worth noting that other animals, such as opossums, may also feed on slugs, depending on the region.
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Frogs, beetles, and centipedes also eat slugs
Centipedes are formidable predators that employ various hunting techniques, including ambushing, stalking, and subduing their prey with venom. They are highly adaptable and can thrive in a wide range of habitats, making them valuable allies in controlling slug populations. However, the effectiveness of centipedes in slug control is still uncertain and requires further research.
Frogs, along with lizards, are often considered a solution to slug problems in gardens. They are believed to be resistant to nematodes, which are commonly found in slugs and can be harmful to other organisms, such as hedgehogs.
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Slug traps and repellents
Slug traps can be made at home by using inverted grapefruit or citrus halves, flower pots, or wooden boards placed close to their hiding spots. These traps should be checked early in the morning to prevent them from becoming habitats. Beer traps can also be used, but they are not very effective for the work involved. A mixture of sugar water and yeast can be used as an alternative to beer.
Slug repellents can be created using copper, which is a soil trace element. Copper banding has been shown to outperform all other methods for protection from slugs. When slugs and snails come into contact with copper, it causes a reaction similar to an electric shock, which repels them. Copper spray, such as Escar-Go, can also be applied to plants, tree trunks, pots, or letterboxes to create an 'invisible' barrier that is safe for kids, pets, and wildlife.
Other repellent methods include using diatomaceous earth, crushed eggshells, lime, wood ash, wood shavings, sawdust, or copper tape as barriers around seedling beds to prevent slugs from entering. These barriers are only effective when kept dry. Repellent sprays can also be made at home using garlic or wormwood.
In addition to traps and repellents, it is important to take preventative measures such as cleaning up the garden to reduce slug breeding sites and handpicking slugs, especially two hours after sunset by torchlight.
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Slug damage and identification
Slugs are an increasing problem in the high-rainfall zones of Australia, especially in Western Australia and Victoria, where conservation agriculture is practised. They are also prevalent in the moister areas across the southern half of Australia, including Tasmania and far north Queensland. Slugs are more likely to reach damaging levels when soil moisture levels at a depth of 500-600 mm are high and/or the area experiences more than 70-80 mm of rainfall within a 3-week period.
The main pest species of slugs that attack broadacre crops are the black-keeled slug, the grey field slug, and the brown field slug. The black-keeled slug is 40-60mm long, black to brown with a ridge down its back, and can burrow to a depth of 20cm or more to survive the summer heat. The grey field slug is about 50 mm long and is usually greyish-brown with darker flecks. The brown field slug can also be a serious pest, with multiple species often co-occurring. Other common pest species include the Great Leopard Slug, the Great Yellow Slug, and the Giant Leopard Slug.
Slugs will attack most crops and pastures, but the most susceptible crops are canola, especially young seedlings, and wheat seed/pre-emerged seedlings in the drill rows. The damage caused by slugs includes rasping and shredding of leaves up to complete defoliation of crops. They will eat all parts of the plant, but the seedling stage is most vulnerable, and this is when major economic losses can occur. Slugs, especially black-keeled slugs, will also feed in the furrows on seeds of legumes. They do not feed on ungerminated canola or cereal seeds. Irregular pieces chewed from leaves and shredded leaf edges are typical of slug damage.
How to identify slug damage:
- Look for slime trails.
- Look for damage such as chewed flower buds and flowers, and gnawed fruit.
- Look for damage to seeds, germinated seeds, seedlings, and leaves.
- Look for holes in the middle of leaves. Unlike caterpillars, slugs have rasping tongues that can cut holes in the middle of leaves.
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Safe slug removal and disposal
Physical Barriers
One way to protect your plants from slugs is by creating a physical barrier. Materials such as diatomaceous earth, crushed eggshells, lime, wood ash, wood shavings, and sawdust can be placed around vulnerable plants and seedlings. These barriers should be kept dry to be effective. Copper is also an excellent repellent for slugs; copper banding or copper tape placed around young plants will repel slugs and snails.
Traps
You can set traps to catch slugs and snails. Homemade traps such as inverted grapefruit halves, pots, or wooden boards can be placed near their hiding spots. Beer traps or a mixture of sugar-water and yeast can also be used, but they are not very effective compared to the effort involved. You can also use cardboard or black plastic to cover an area before sowing, as slugs will hide underneath.
Natural Predators
Introducing natural predators can be an effective way to control slug populations. Predators such as birds (magpies, kookaburras, mudlarks, and starlings), blue-tongued lizards, rats, centipedes, frogs, predatory beetles, and snails can help keep slug numbers in check. Chickens or ducks, especially Khaki Campbell or Indian Runner breeds, can also be effective in orchards.
Organic Repellents
You can make organic repellent sprays at home using garlic, wormwood, or strong coffee. These sprays are safe for kids, pets, and wildlife. Additionally, sprinkling coffee grounds around plant bases will act as a repellent.
Handpicking
Handpicking slugs and snails is another option, although it is less effective for slugs than for snails. The best time to do this is two hours after sunset, using a torch and wearing thick gloves. You can also use a bucket of saltwater to dispose of the slugs as you pick them.
Slug Baits
Slug baits containing metaldehyde or methiocarb are effective but highly toxic to pets, wildlife, and children. Safer alternatives include snail baits based on iron or ferric phosphate, which are less toxic and safer for use around children and pets. Always read the instructions and take the necessary precautions when using any type of bait.
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Frequently asked questions
Frogs, lizards, birds, ducks, beetles, and centipedes eat slugs in Australia.
Create habitats for slug predators, such as hedges, shrubs, and trees, to attract birds like blackbirds and thrushes. A wildlife pond is also a great addition to your garden as newts, frogs, and toads will also eat slugs.
If you notice large holes in your plants, seedlings disappearing overnight, or silvery slime trails, you may have a slug problem.
Slugs eat both living plants and decaying plant matter. They eat seedlings, leaves, flowers, and fruit.
To get rid of slugs, you can use homemade traps, slug repellent sprays, slug baits, or barriers.
