If your garden has been getting plenty of spring rain and you’re noticing holes in your lettuce—or worse, seedlings that seemed to disappear overnight—you’re not alone.
This time of year creates the perfect conditions for slugs and snails. Cool temperatures, damp soil, and tender young plants? That’s exactly what they’re waiting for.
The tricky part is you may not even see them. They do most of their damage at night, then hide out during the day.
But they always leave clues behind… those ragged holes and that telltale slimy trail.
What They Are
Snails and slugs are soft-bodied pests. The difference is that snails have a shell, while slugs do not. Both can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time, especially in wet or humid weather.
What They Like to Eat
They prefer tender plants and are especially drawn to:
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Lettuce and leafy greens
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Strawberries
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Beans
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Cucumbers
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Tomatoes
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Young seedlings of just about anything
How to Deter or Get Rid of Them
Here’s what works:
1. Make it uncomfortable for them to travel
- Crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth create a rough surface they don’t like to cross
- Reapply after rain (this is important in spring)
2. Go out at night (yes, really)
- Grab a flashlight and check your garden after dark
- Handpick and drop them into soapy water
- It’s simple—and very effective
3. Take away their hiding spots
- They love damp, shady places
- Check under boards, rocks, pots, and thick mulch
- Clearing these out makes your garden less inviting
4. Set beer traps
- Bury a shallow container so the rim is at soil level
- Fill with beer
- They’re attracted to it and fall in
5. Let nature help you
- Birds, frogs, toads, and ground beetles all eat slugs
- A garden with a little life in it helps keep things balanced
6. Use an organic bait if needed
- Products like Sluggo contain iron phosphate
- Safe around people, pets, and wildlife
- A good option if damage is getting out of hand
A Simple Spring Reminder
Spring gardens are full of fresh growth—but they’re also more vulnerable.
A quick check every few days (especially after rain) can make a big difference. Catching slugs early is much easier than trying to recover from heavy damage later.
A little attention now keeps your lettuce, strawberries—and everything else—growing strong.
Happy Gardening!
Karen