Ever since the UK has returned to our regularly scheduled programming of wet, damp, windy and altogether very grey weather, I have noticed an upheaval in one particular pest - but not in the location it's usually found. Slugs seem to be everywhere right now, and I mean everywhere.
The other night, I got up to use the restroom, only to be met with a very unpleasant slimy surprise waiting for me in my sink. Not one, not two, not three, but four huge hideous slugs were having what looked like a very popular mollusk meet-up right beneath my taps. These usually garden dwelling creatures had ventured into my home, and continued to do so night after night. After chatting with friends and family, it turns out, I'm not the only one.
So I’ve been chatting with an expert to find out why slugs are suddenly coming into our homes this autumn, and more importantly - how to stop it. Here’s what I found.
Why are the slugs coming indoors?
As we head full force into our rainy and wet season, slugs are in their prime. Wet conditions, such as the ones we've been experiencing in recent days, can increase slug activity in our gardens, and around houses. ‘We know that slugs coming into houses (especially older houses that by their very nature may be damp) is a relatively common occurrence,’ says Dr. Stephanie Bird, RHS’s plant health scientist. But why is this?
Dr. Bird explains that we are not yet 100% sure what causes the slimy suckers to take a detour into our homes. ‘It is not well understood why slugs come indoors,’ she says, ‘But there are various different species of slugs and some are more likely to feed on algae, fungi and other detritus that can be found in homes, than on live plant material.’
Common household slugs such as cellar slugs can also be attracted to leftover food and according to Dr. Bird, one slug species, have also been recorded to eat damp wallpaper and pet food. They are also known to be attracted to the smell of bran and other cereals, which could explain their presence in our kitchens. ‘Slugs do tend to be more active during mild damp weather which is what we generally experience in Autumn (September – November),’ explains Dr.Bird, which is exactly where we’re at today. And with more rain on the forecast and no end in sight, it looks like these slippery pests aren’t slowing down any time soon.
How do slugs enter our homes?
Like many household pests, Slugs follow a simple methodology when entering our homes - ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way. ‘Slugs can squeeze through very small cracks or gaps in a home’s exterior including round utility pipes, doorframes and even through the letterbox,’ explains Dr. Bird.
She points out that understanding how they are getting into your home is an essential first step for keeping them out. ‘Personally I have also had slugs arrive through hitching a lift in on allotment produce - I sometimes catch them trying to escape the indoor compost bin too!’ So it’s important during these wetter peak months to stay alert, especially when gardening or spending time outdoors before coming in. Dr. Bird also suggests, ‘To get a better idea of where they are entering, try following one of their silvery slime trails.’
How to keep slugs away from your home
Now we know why they might be coming in, and how they’re doing it - we have a better idea of how to put them off and block them out.
Block entry points: Dr. Bird suggests that, ‘If you find slugs indoors you can remove them to a compost heap; if you have been able to work out where they are entering then try sealing those gaps.’ You can do this by following the slime trail to find the entry point, then seal small gaps around pipes or frames with suitable flexible sealant, repair cracks in masonry and fit weather strips or a door sweep where needed. Don’t block air bricks, vents or flues; if slugs keep appearing in one spot, check for damp and ask your landlord or a qualified professional to investigate.
Reduce the inviting environment: ‘Slugs are more active at night,’ says Dr. Bird, who suggests trying a night-time slug hunt following a damp day. Check bathrooms, kitchens, all sinks, attics and basements or anywhere else that could harbour those enticing damp conditions. ‘Reducing sources of damp, making sure that any pet food or cereal is stored in sealed boxes, wiping down surfaces and sweeping floors regularly may help,’ says Dr. Bird.
Warm things up: ‘We have heard anecdotally of houses where slugs were common visitors to the kitchen, until underfloor heating was installed and the resulting increase in warmth and decreased dampness meant the house became unattractive to slugs,’ explained Dr. Bird. Suggesting that perhaps finally popping the heating on this autumn might have a bonus slug-reducing side effect.
Check the sinks: If like me you’ve been finding your sinks have become a sluggy pool party, this may be the area to focus your attention. If a slug appears beside a plughole, don’t automatically assume it came up the drain. Sinks, baths and showers normally have a water-filled trap that blocks the route from the drain; slugs may instead be squeezing through a gap where waste pipes pass through the wall or floor.
Follow the slime trail and check around the pipework and flooring, especially under the sink or bath panel. If you’re sure it came through the plughole, or you notice a persistent drain smell, slow drainage or leaks, contact a plumber to check the trap and waste pipes; renters should tell their landlord. Avoid pouring slug pellets or pest chemicals down the drain.
Don’t use poison: While it can often be tempting to reach for the poison when a pest comes knocking, Dr. Bird strongly advises against this. ‘We do not advise using slug pellets outside and would definitely advise against using them indoors, especially in homes with pets or younger children,’ says Dr. Bird. ‘It is much easier, cheaper and better for the environment to just remove them by hand.’