In a year the youngsters will be full size if they escape the rage of the motivated gardener. An irrigated, mulched garden with carefully prepared soil presents slugs with the ideal habitat. Slugs like precisely the same garden conditions suitable for young vegetable seedlings. Deck, patio, and even balcony gardeners can also be plagued by slugs. Be sure to check under pot rims and under containers of young plants.
Slugs can flatten themselves into a surprisingly small space beneath a pot.
In May, newly planted summer annuals can suffer from slugs climbing up pots and reducing marigolds and petunias to fibrous tatters. Handpicking and setting traps will work, being obvious, traditional control methods to reduce populations. Look for and destroy the pearly egg masses, laid under rocks, in soil, or in garden litter. Make traps such as two shingles learning together to make a small a-frame, with a damp newspaper inside. Foil-covered shingles laid on the ground also attract them especially on warm, sunny days.