Gilbert White

Snails and Slugs

These pests are mollusks and related to clams, oysters, mussels, shellfish, and barnacles. Snails have distinct shells and slugs appear not to have shells, but actually have a small rudimentary shell plate on the upper side near the head. They come in colors of grey, orange, and black. Both feed on various plants at night or on cloudy days especially in moist well-watered environments. They injure plants by biting tissue with rasping mouths located underneath their bodies. Often the silvery, slimy trails of snails and slugs are seen on walks, grass, soil, and foliage before their damage is found. Some crawl on houses and damage painted siding. Like other mollusks, snails and slugs need to be moist all the time. They avoid direct sun and dry places and hide during the day in damp places such as under flowerpots or in thick ground covers.