Smaller leaves may be eaten entirely, while only the edges of larger leaves may be consumed. Thick leaves often are rasped from the leaf underside. The presence of slime trails often is the best indication of slug activity. History and Habits Slugs and snails are classified as gastropods. They are more similar to clams and mussels than to other common Garden pests such as Insects.
Slugs feed on a variety of plant materials that they eat by rasping with specialized mouthparts.
They feed mostly at night, although they occasionally are active on overcast or rainy days. Slugs seek shelter during the day in soil cracks and under debris. During hot, dry weather, they may be temporarily inactive. Slugs lay small masses of eggs in soil cracks. The young slugs that hatch from these eggs travel through the soil and damage germinating seeds and root Crops.