Slugs Slugs range from yellow to black and may be several inches long. They feed by rasping ragged holes in plant surfaces. Because of the tell-tale slimy trails left on fruit surfaces, slug damage is easy to verify. Because slugs have no shell, they require a damp, moist environment in order to survive. Strawberry fields with excessive mulch or litter on the soil and dense growth of foliage are attractive to slugs.
Most injury occurs during damp rainy, spring months.
Control of weeds, removal of excessive mulch, and planting at lower densities may reduce slug infestations. Various slug traps have been tried, including the stale beer trap. Traps are unlikely to be practical in commercial plantings, and their effectiveness under field conditions remains unproven. Toxic baits are available for slugs and snails, but this control method is usually ineffective. Most frequently, prevention through cultural management, including incorporation of trickle irrigation, is suggested.