Slugs

Overview

Slugs cause chewing damage and contamination; pressure increases in cool, damp periods.

Symptoms

• Ragged holes
• Slime trails
• Damage on lower leaves/fruit

Conditions that increase risk

• Cool, damp weather
• Dense ground cover / wet areas

IPM notes

• Reduce hiding places and wet refuges
• Targeted controls where necessary

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Further guidance

• Slugs — Biocontrol Foundations

Key natural enemies

Biological control options typically involve specific nematodes (not yet detailed in this section).

Environmental drivers

• Favoured by cool, damp conditions and sheltered, humid crop environments.
• Pressure increases with persistent wet weather, heavy irrigation, and dense ground cover.
• Hiding places (pots, boards, debris) strongly influence local pressure.