If you are having problems with slugs and snails, you are not alone. During the past couple of weeks we have received a large number of calls at the Walker County Extension Office about these creatures. Although they will feed on the leaves of many different plants, they seem to prefer canna lilies and hosta.

The best control method for them is the slug and snail baits available in local stores. But, if you plan to use this type of product please read the label carefully. Some of them contain “metaldehyde” which can be very harmful and even deadly to dogs and cats that consume it. Some people have remedied this problem by placing the bait in or under a container where it is not accessible to children or pets.

Although there is no university research results to back them up, there are many different “home remedies” that gardeners have used over the years. They include things like putting out yeast mixtures in bowls, spreading Epsom salt, table salt or citrus fruit rinds in areas used by slugs and snails. If you had rather just run them off from particular plants, you might want to try surrounding your plants with egg shells, tea or coffee grounds or builders sand since the slugs will avoid crossing these and similar products.

If you decide to go with a “home remedy” method of control, keep in mind that some of them like the table salt method can also have some negative side effects such as killing your grass or flowers in the application area.

Norman Edwards is coordinator of Walker County Extension Service.