Slugs and Snails and Strawberry Tales
Feeling sluggish? Our IPM specialist Dr. Jackie Lee answers your questions about what to do if you're having problems with slugs in your strawberries!
Guess what has been creeping around feeding on your strawberries…….SLUGS! Slugs are nocturnal and generally feed at night. They will feed on many different plants and LOVE strawberry. Often times the damage is a hole that is empty (see photo below). They can be hard to spot due to their night-time feeding behavior. You can identify them by looking for their dried silvery slime trails during the day, or use a flashlight to catch a glimpse of them feeding at night. Slugs love moist wet environments and plastic and wood mulch creates the perfect home for them in springtime. Don’t worry! There is something you can do……slug bait. These baits are granular and can be applied around the plants. The 2 most popular are made with Iron Phosphate or Metaldehyde. Iron phosphate is organic and safe around wildlife and pets. Metaldehyde can be fatal to pets if swallowed so use with caution. Always read and follow label directions.
