Snail & Slug Control requires a specialized, species-targeted approach—these are not your typical structural pests. In North Georgia, our humid climate creates perfect conditions for snails and slugs to thrive in shaded mulch beds, around foundations, and especially in home gardens. Unlike general pest control, treating these moisture-loving invaders involves extreme care when food-producing plants are involved. At Southern Pest Management, we offer Snail & Slug Control solutions designed to protect your ornamental plants, vegetable gardens, and edible crops without compromising safety or soil health.

Snails and slugs feed on tender plant matter, leaving ragged holes in leaves and slime trails across patios, pots, and even interior entry points. Their activity peaks at night and during rainy spells, making them hard to detect until damage is already done. Whether you’re spotting slug trails in your vegetable beds in Alpharetta, losing crops to snails in Cumming, or seeing chewed leaves in your Dawsonville backyard garden, we offer safe, highly targeted solutions. Our expert team serves Johns Creek, Suwanee, and beyond with precision treatments that eliminate the pest while preserving your plants and harvest.

SNAIL & SLUG CONTROL MEASURES

The holes in your plant leaves, or even worse, plants nearly eaten, snails and slugs may be the culprit. Snails and slugs are commonly the most bothersome pests in our garden and landscape. Most of them have a ferocious appetite for green leaves and stems that happen to be growing in our garden.

They are members of the mollusk family and move by gliding along their muscular “foot.” As they move, they secrete a slippery, mucus-like substance, which helps facilitate their movement. Snails and slugs are most active during the evening and hide in the shade on sunny days. Because of their appetite for our garden plants, they can be extremely destructive and need intervention.

If you really want to see what is munching on your plants, slip out late at night with a flashlight to examine your plants. You will see what the culprit is. The telling sign is the irregular holes in leaves and a silvery mucus trail.

A good snail and slug management plan, like ours, includes a combination of methods.

Homeowners who want to take a preventative role in protecting their plants or gardens can take some measures into their own hands.

Lay a wet piece of cardboard down between your plants and let it sit overnight. This will attract slugs to the cellulose of the cardboard. Picking up the cardboard the next morning, if you see more than 10 slugs… you have a problem. The cardboard method can actually be an effective organic control.

While you can’t control slugs & snails 100 percent, it is a great population control measure. Also, handpicking snails and slugs can be productive control if done late in the evening.  Just an FYI it is more effective if you water the garden a few hours prior.

Q) Why are slugs or snails showing up around my home and garden?

A) Slugs and snails are drawn to moist, shaded environments. They feed on vegetation, mulch, and decaying organic material and often thrive after rain or heavy watering.

Q) What time of year are slugs and snails most active in Georgia?

A) Slugs and snails are most active in the spring and fall, especially after rain. In mild winters, they may remain active year-round in moist environments.

Q) Can slugs or snails come inside my house?

A) Yes. Slugs and occasionally small snails can enter through gaps in doors, crawlspace vents, or around plumbing—especially at night or after rain.

Q) Are slugs harmful to pets or people?

A) While slugs aren’t venomous, they can carry parasites if ingested and may pose a slight risk to dogs or cats that eat them. Their slimy trails can also irritate skin.

Q) What do slime trails in my kitchen or garage mean?

A) Slime trails may indicate nocturnal slug activity. These trails are left behind as slugs move across surfaces, often toward food or moisture sources.

Q) What damage do slugs and snails cause in the garden?

A) Slugs and snails chew large, irregular holes in leaves, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. They can quickly destroy seedlings and low-growing plants.

Q) How do I prevent snails from damaging my plants?

A) Remove hiding spots like mulch piles and boards, reduce watering, and use professional slug and snail control treatments around garden beds and foundations.

Q) Are there natural ways to deter slugs and snails?

A) Crushed eggshells, copper tape, and diatomaceous earth can help repel slugs and snails, though these methods may be less effective in large infestations.

Q) How do pest control companies treat for slugs and snails?

A) Professionals use baiting strategies, moisture control, habitat reduction, and perimeter applications around high-activity areas like gardens and foundations.

Q) Do slugs live in mulch beds or flower pots?

A) Yes. Slugs love damp mulch, overwatered pots, and shaded flower beds. These are common breeding and feeding areas in Georgia landscapes.

Q) Why do I have so many snails around my foundation at night?

A) Nighttime moisture, landscape lighting, and nearby mulch can attract snails. They often travel along brick, siding, and patios in search of shelter and food.

Q) Are snail or slug treatments safe around vegetables?

A) Yes. Many pest control providers offer EPA-approved bait and barrier treatments that are safe to use around edible plants when applied correctly.

Q) How do I know if it’s slugs, snails, or another pest?

A) Slugs and snails leave behind slimy trails, and their feeding damage appears as ragged holes in leaves. A pest inspection can confirm the source.

Q) Can I use salt to kill slugs and snails?

A) Salt can kill slugs and snails on contact, but it’s not a long-term solution and may damage soil or surrounding plants.

Q) Who should I call for slug control in North Georgia?

A) A licensed pest control company that offers garden pest and slug extermination can identify problem areas, reduce moisture, and apply treatments to prevent future infestations.