Snails and slugs are most active when the ground is moist: at night and on foggy or rainy days. They hide against walls or trees when it is warm and hibernate in the soil during cold weather. They feed on foliage and fruit.

Prevention/Management

• Eliminate daytime hiding places; debris, stones, and weedy areas are examples.
• Control populations by handpicking snails from hiding places.
• Remove breeding sites by mowing overgrown ground covers (ivy, etc.).

Controls

• More toxic: chemical baits and traps (baits should be placed in concentrated, small quantities near vulnerable plants - do not widely broadcast baits).
• Less toxic:

- traps: boards placed one-inch off the ground, beer-filled containers placed in the ground or commercially available traps