Key steps
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Follow slug trails in your house to find entry points.
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Use expanding foam to fill larger cracks.
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Use a silicone sealant to fill smaller cracks.
Finding slug trails in your house or your kitchen? Though it might seem strange, a slug infestation in the house is fairly common. This article will explain why slugs are entering your home and offer tips on keeping your slimy new friends out of the house. If it’s not slugs but woodlice creeping around your home, find out how to get rid of them, too!
Use a torch to follow the slug trails in your house, and seal off their entrances. Next, use Cif to clean up the trails and leave the surfaces sparkling.
Why do slugs come inside?
If you’re wondering why you keep finding slugs in the house, it’s because they have an amazing sense of smell.[1] They may be attracted to food in your kitchen, pantry or even pet food. Moreover, slugs like damp and moist areas. As such, we suggest reading our guide on stopping condensation on windows.
Where do slugs come from?
Slugs have no bones. In fact, they don’t even have a hard shell like an insect. This means they are capable of squeezing through tiny cracks up to half its size. They can also travel up vertical walls and surfaces and upside down. This allows them to get in through holes drilled for water, gas pipes, electric wiring, joints along walls, dryer ducts and more.
How to prevent slugs in your house
If you’ve found slugs in kitchen cupboards or trails on pantry shelves, you can use these tips to get rid of slugs in the house and prevent a future slug infestation. Moreover, wear old clothes and gloves when doing this type of work. These tips are also effective when you want to learn how to get rid of slugs in the house without killing them.
1: Follow the slug trails to find their entry points. Check joints, holes and gaps along walls, door frames, pipes and under cabinets.
2: Keep children and pets out of the way when filling the holes.
3: Place plastic tarpaulin, old newspapers or an old sheet below the area you are working.
4: Use an old rag to catch any excess filler which might ooze out of the nozzle as you work.
5: For larger cracks, use expanding foam.
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You can buy polyurethane foam in a can, which makes it easier to use.
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This won’t just keep out slugs; it keeps out the wind, noise and rodents, too!
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Use up the can while it is fresh as once it begins to harden, it will block the nozzle.
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Once the foam has hardened in the crack, trim off any excess with a serrated knife or hack saw.
If the entry point is a smaller crack or opening, use silicone sealant.
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Purchase a squeeze tube as this will be much easier to use.
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Simply squeeze a bit of sealant into any holes you find where slugs can enter.
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You can also use it to fill in spaces between floorboards, door frames and timber joints.
How to get rid of slugs in your house
Once you’ve sealed their entrances, you’ll want to get rid of any slugs which are already in your house. Here are a couple of tips for getting rid of these slimy pests.
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Use slug bait. These are a great way to get snails and slugs alike to come out of their hiding places so you can get rid of them. Most baits are developed to be tasty to slugs and non-toxic to pets and children, but always check the manufacturer’s details on the label.
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Lay out some salt. Salt is an easy way to kill off slugs, but it isn’t the most humane way of getting rid of them! Be aware if you are laying out a line of salt it could also affect nearby plants.
How to get rid of slugs in house plants
If slugs keep eating your house plants, here are some tips we recommend:
✦ Copper tape. The slime on a slug’s body reacts with copper, giving them an unpleasant electric shock. So, we recommend lining your plant containers with copper tape.
✦ Coffee grounds. Slugs don’t like the rough, scratchy texture of coffee grounds. Moreover, the material is toxic to these pests. Use coffee grounds as natural mulch and slug deterrent for your plants.
✦ Pest repelling plants. Some plants that can repel slugs include Astrantia, rosemary, fennel and wormwood. We recommend planting any of these to prevent slug infestation in your garden.
Quick Note: If you’re struggling to keep other pests at bay, read our guide on how to keep wasps away in the garden.
Frequently asked questions about slugs in the house
Are slugs a pest int the house?
If slugs come inside houses, they usually go to damp areas. They eat vegetation, but they are generally harmless. Slugs are considered as minor pests.
What attracts slugs?
Slugs typically like moisture and food. So, you’ll usually find them in your garden or yard, especially during rainy or cold seasons.
What kills slugs instantly?
When you pour salt onto slugs, they die within a minute. Salt kills them through a process called “osmosis.” Salt draws the water out of the slug’s skin, effectively dehydrating it.[2]
Does vinegar stop slugs?
Vinegar can dissolve molluscs, so you can use it to kill slugs. If you’re trying to prevent the slugs from eating your plants, you can also use a spray bottle filled with white vinegar. Simply spray the vinegar onto the leaves and stems to deter the slugs.
Can slugs damage my property?
Slugs can indeed cause damage to various aspects of your property. These slimy creatures are known for their voracious appetite and can feed on a wide range of plants, including flowers, vegetables, and ornamental foliage.[3] They can devour leaves, stems, and fruits, leading to unsightly and damaged vegetation.
Slugs can also leave slimy trails on outdoor surfaces, which can be difficult to clean. Moreover, they can find their way into homes and cause damage to carpets, furniture, and stored items.
Taking preventive measures like using barriers, removing debris, and employing organic slug control methods can help minimise their impact on your property. With these top tips you will not only be able to get rid of slugs but also prevent a future slug infestation in your house.
For more homecare hacks and tips, keep reading Cleanipedia’s blog posts!
References:
1. Cummins, S. F., & Degnan, B. M. (2010). Sensory sea slugs. Communicative & Integrative Biology, 3(5), 423–426. https://doi.org/10.4161/cib.3.5.12091
2. Ling, T. (n.d.). Why does salt kill slugs and snails? BBC Science Focus Magazine. https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/why-does-salt-kill-slugs
3. Jennings, T., & Barkham, J. P. (1976). Quantitative Study of Feeding in Woodland by the Slug Arion ater. Oikos, 27(1), 168. https://doi.org/10.2307/3543448
