Slugs are mollusks and related to snails, clams and squid. They look like a snail without a shell. The spotted garden slug is 3 inches long and gray with black spots. Slugs need a moist environment to live. They eat dead and live plant material.
Slugs are particularly fond of thin-leafed hostas.
Leaves may be checked in early morning for shiny slime trails. Changing the environment by removing fallen leaves, bark mulch and other dead organic matter may reduce slug populations. Hosta varieties with thicker leaves are less likely to be eaten. Small boards placed on the ground will trap slugs. The slugs gather under these boards, later dropping them in salt water will kill the slugs.