There is non toxic (And salt free) ways of getting rid of slugs. We have one called Cory's slug and snail death. Also make a perimeter of crushed egg shells around plants. Slugs won't crawl over as it is sharp to them. And then there is always beer traps. Apparently they like the dark stuff. Near Beer doesn't do it.

Do you mean rose slugs? Tiny green catepillar-looking things? If so, yes, you need to get rid of them. The good news is that they will probably only last a couple weeks before some predator comes along and eats them up. The bad news is that they can eat a lot during that time.

Hope you aren't squeamish. The best thing to do is to go out in the morning fairly early and examine the leaves around the eaten area. Once you get used to looking for them, they aren't that hard to spot, but initially you may have to search very carefully. They will be under the eaten leaf or nearby leaf, or along the edge of the leaf, or sometimes even along the "neck" leading up to the bud. Either squish them (it helps to hate them) or pick them off and toss them out in the lawn. They won't find there way back.

I won't recommend an insecticide because there are non-toxic ways to handle them (as I outlined above) and in a couple weeks, predators will arrive and assist you. If you use the insecticide, you will probably also poison the helpful predators.

Just keep saying, as you pluck the slugs, "this too shall pass." : )

Kate

Thanks for all the GREEN advice. Will follow them.

We have monster, prehistoric looking slugs where I live. They come in all colors, shapes and sizes, even striped. When I first moved here they really freaked me out. They can do serious damage too. Especially to rose bands.It is a constant struggle fighting these things. I put copper tape on a lot of stuff. I also do the beer trap thing. Tupperware with hole in lid with beer semi-buried. They will eat dahlias to the ground in one night. I go on 'slug-patrol' a couple nights a week at night and fill baggies with them. It is very satisfying to pour salt in the baggie. I really hate slugs.

It is very satisfying to pour salt in the baggie. I really hate slugs.
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OK that is funny yet really GROSS at the same time.

Ah yes, the slugs of the pacific northwest. Bigger than some fish I have caught - and kept.

triple b - the freakiest slugs I ever saw were banana slugs in the Santa Cruz Mountains in CA. My grandma had a cabin there. My brother and I would hunt them down in the redwood forest. They were HUGE, spotted and bright yellow. They definitely take 1st prize in the freaky slug dept. Up here in WA our slugs give them a run for their money though.

enter them in a fishing derby and see if you win :o)

YUCK >_