You’re tired of waking up to new slug damage on your vegetables and flowers, and you’re wondering what to do.
While tiny, slimy slugs may look harmless, they can destroy your yard and garden in a matter of days.
Fortunately, you don’t have to live with slug predation forever.
As a team of licensed pest control experts, we’ve been working in the field for decades, and we know exactly which products actually work to control slugs.
In this blog, we’ll share our top recommendations for slug killers you can buy without a pest control license. We’ll also help you understand the pros and cons of each method and learn which is right for you.
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Editor’s Choice
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Runner Up
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Most Eco-Friendly
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Summary:
OMRI-listed and approved for organic gardening, this easy-to-use granular slug killer can be used in your lawn, fruit or vegetable garden, or flower beds.
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Summary:
A weatherized granular borate bait that’s highly effective at reducing slug populations and is approved for use indoors and outdoors.
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Summary:
A boric-acid based, natural granular scatter bait that effectively kills slugs without harsh chemicals and provides preventative and curative treatment.
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Our Top Picks
- Editor’s Choice: Monterey Sluggo Molluscicide
- Runner Up: Niban Granular Bait
- Most Eco-friendly: MotherEarth Granular Scatter Bait
- Best Value: Corry’s Slug & Snail Killer
- Best Powder: Natural Guard Diatomaceous Earth Insect Control
Type: Granular insecticide
Key ingredient(s): Iron phosphate
Also good for: Specially formulated to kill snails and slugs
Sluggo is our go-to insecticide for a variety of reasons.
The mess-free granular formulation makes it easy to use in slug-heavy areas, while the reliance on iron phosphate (which is already present in the soil) as an active ingredient makes this product safe to use around pets and wildlife.
Any iron phosphate that slugs or snails don’t ingest will biodegrade and become part of the soil, which means no pesticide buildup or toxic products affecting your garden.
We also love that it remains effective after you water your lawn or garden and after heavy rain. This product can be used up to and including the day of harvest.
Our Experience:
During our field trials, we found this product easy to use, smell-free, and fast-acting. We like that it can be applied precisely or as a broadcast insecticide.
“Once, we took over an HOA after a dog got sick from eating Deadline metaldehyde snail bait. The dog was eating it off the soil as if it was candy! Very toxic. We switched the snail bait to Sluggo, which is dog-safe and very effective. Whatever isn’t eaten by snails or slugs biodegrades into basic iron and phosphorus fertilizer.” – Zachary Smith, “The Pest Dude”
How to Use
Scatter slug and snail bait granules on the soil near the plants you want to protect from slug predation. If you’d prefer to broadcast this product, use a standard lawn spreader to apply 0.5-1 lb. of product per 1,000 square feet. Reapply the bait at least every two weeks, applying more bait if the slug infestation is severe or if the area is subject to heavy watering or rain.
- Safe for use around pets.
- Won’t cause insecticide buildup in the soil.
- Mess-free and easy to use.
- Approved for organic gardening.
- Specially formulated for quick knockdown of slugs and snails.
- It can cause eye irritation if misused.
- The container must be disposed of at a hazardous waste collection point.
- It should not be applied near runoff areas to waterways or sewers.
Type: Weatherized granular borate bait
Key ingredient(s): Boric acid 5%
Also good for: Ants, Cockroaches, Crickets (Camel, house, field, and mole), Earwigs, Silverfish, Snails, and Slugs.
NIBAN Granular Bait is a highly effective outdoor insecticide, which can be applied using the product’s shake bottle, or with a mechanical spreader or power duster. The product is weather and moisture-resistant and effective against dozens of pests, in addition to slugs and snails.
If you’re looking for a long-lasting insecticide, Niban is an excellent choice. Thanks to this product’s coarse, weatherized formula, the granules don’t degrade in heat or sunlight and will remain effective even after 4” of rain.
Additionally, the product has no known resistance (it blocks enzyme production in insects rather than affecting any of their major systems) and is almost completely odorless.
Our Experience:
When we applied this product around our homes, we were surprised by how quickly it started to kill insects. The shaker bottle makes it easy to apply in a targeted manner, and we loved that it’s easy to use as a perimeter treatment and near plumbing, gas, and electrical lines – popular entry points for pests.
How to Use
Scatter slug and snail bait granules on the soil near the plants you want to protect from slug predation. If you’d prefer to broadcast this product, use a standard lawn spreader to apply 0.5-1 lb. of product per 1,000 square feet. Reapply the bait at least every two weeks, applying more bait if the slug infestation is severe or if the area is subject to heavy watering or rain.
- Won’t degrade in the elements.
- Long-lasting.
- Suitable for a variety of application methods.
- Insects will not develop resistance to this product.
- Kills many common garden pests – not just slugs and snails.
- Should not be applied in conjunction with residual insecticides or sprays or near baits.
- Should not be applied near water or in areas where surface water is present.
Type: Granular scatter bait
Key ingredient(s): Boric acid
Also good for: Ants (Argentine, Carpenter, Thief, Pharaoh, Little Black, Pavement, Odorous House, and Crazy Ants), Cockroaches (Asian, American, Brown, Brown Banded, Smokey Brown, German, and Oriental Cockroaches), Crickets, Earwigs, Mole Crickets, Silverfish, Slugs, and Snails.
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly pest control option, MotherEarth Granular Scatter Bait is a great choice. Like the Niban Granular Bait, this product uses boric acid as an active ingredient, mixed with a blend of attractants, making this product particularly attractive for pests.
Unlike products that rely on harsh chemicals, MotherEarth Granular Scatter Bait targets the metabolism of pest insects, which makes it impossible for them to develop a resistance to the product over time. This makes it ideal for stubborn snails and slug infestations.
This product is also reasonably weather-resistant: it will remain effective after a light rain. Still, it should be reapplied after heavy rain or watering or about every seven days until the infestation is gone.
Our Experience:
When field-testing this product, we found it easy to apply with a bellows hand duster. It is simple to use in cracks and crevices. It killed all slugs and snails in about two days.
How to Use
Apply this product in a band about 2 feet wide outside the perimeter of anything you want to protect. Reapply every seven days or as needed.
- Insects can’t develop resistance to this product.
- Lasts even after getting wet.
- Suitable for a variety of application methods.
- Targets a variety of garden pests.
- Pet safe if used as directed on the label.
- Can be messy to apply.
- May require more applications than other products to kill all slugs.
- Needs to be reapplied more frequently than other products.
Summary: A granular insecticide specially formulated for use on slugs and snails and designed for application in turfgrass, ornamental gardens, and vegetable and fruit gardens.
Type: Granular scatter bait
Key ingredient(s): Sodium Ferric EDTA – 5.0%
Also good for: Specially designed to target slugs and snails.
Corry’s Slug & Snail Killer is an excellent pest control option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly choice. The active ingredient, Sodium Ferric, is a common agricultural pest control ingredient and is highly effective in stopping slug and snail predation.
The granular formation makes it easy to apply to your lawn, garden, or ornamental plants, and this product is pet safe as long as it’s used per label directions. This formula also covers a large area: 1.75 lbs. will treat up to 8,750 square feet of space.
Our Experience:
When we field tested this product, we found it effective for use on slugs and snails and relatively easy to apply. However, the formula is light enough to blow around in a breeze, which makes the risk for cross-contamination high.
How to Use
Scatter the granules on the soil near any plants or garden beds you want to protect. Reapply the bait at least every two weeks or more frequently if the infestation is severe or the area has been subject to heavy rain or watering.
- Affordable.
- Effective even after rain.
- Covers a large area.
- Unscented
- Highly effective against slugs and snails.
- Convenient granular formula.
- Targeted.
- Should not be used in water runoff areas or near drainage ditches, gutters, or surface water.
- Product must be applied in calm weather when rain is not predicted for at least 24 hours.
Type: Natural slug-killing powder
Key ingredient(s): 85% Diatomaceous earth (DE)
Also good for: Slugs, snails, cockroaches, fleas, earwigs, silverfish, centipedes, millipedes, bed bugs, and more than 20 other pests.
Natural Guard Diatomaceous Earth is a good choice if you’re looking for a natural and non-toxic slug killer that’s also highly effective. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a staple in natural pest control since it contains no toxins or harsh ingredients. Instead, it’s made from the fossilized remains of diatoms: microscopic aquatic organisms.
DE works by permeating and dehydrating pests. After insects encounter DE, it kills them within 48 hours. As long as this product remains dry, it’s also long-lasting. In fact, it can remain effective for up to ten years in sheltered areas like wall voids.
DE is also safe for humans, domestic pets, kids, and non-target animals. Since it doesn’t contain essential oils, it won’t stain, making it functional for use on various surfaces.
Our Experience:
When we tested this product, we found that it killed slugs and snails quickly but that it can be a little messy to apply, thanks to its light, dusty composition. Still, we think that’s a small price to pay for an effective, natural pest killer!
How to Use
Sprinkle a thick line of DE around the perimeter of any area you’d like to protect or where you’ve noticed slug and snail predation. Reapply after high winds, heavy rain, or when you’ve watered your garden.
- Safe, non-toxic, and ideal for use around kids, pets, and non-target species.
- Odor-free and non-staining.
- Safe for use on all surfaces
- Ideal for indoor and outdoor use.
- Eco-friendly and safe for use around waterways.
- Won’t harm soil or the natural environment.
- Dusty and can be messy to apply.
- Should be applied with a duster.
- Product stops working when it gets wet and should be reapplied more frequently than other products.
Buyers Guide
Not sure what to look for in a slug or snail killer? Here are our top recommendations for finding the right product for you:
1. Understand the different types of slug killers
Slug killers like baits, traps, and pesticides are all options in today’s DIY pest control landscape.
To choose the right product or combination of products for you, learn a bit more about each of them, as well as their pros and cons.
For example, baits and pesticides can be an effective, relatively hands-off way to control slugs, but may contain ingredients that are dangerous for the environment or non-target species.
Traps, meanwhile, are usually effective and non-toxic but will require you to routinely re-set the trap and empty out dead slugs.
2. Pay attention to ingredients
Slug killers can be naturally derived or highly toxic. Choose a formula with non-toxic ingredients whenever possible.
This is important because some pesticides build up in the soil or present a risk to kids, pets, and non-target species.
Look for a formula that’s safe for use around kids and pets, and be sure to follow all label directions accordingly.
3. Choose the correct application method
We recommend choosing a pesticide that offers granular or broadcast applications since they’re highly effective and mess-free.
4. Look for a long-lasting product
Ideally, you want to re-apply your slug control product as infrequently as possible.
With this in mind, look for a formula that remains effective even after rain or heavy watering and covers a large surface area.
Bottom Line
After reviewing all the products on this list, Sluggo remains our top choice insecticide.
We love that it’s approved for organic gardening, easy to use, long-lasting, and mess-free.
We also love that it won’t build up in the soil and can be used up to the day of harvest!
Why Trust Pest Dude?
When you consider a product recommendation, trust is essential. You want balanced information based on real-world experience. Here at the Pest Dude, we’re committed to giving you both. Our teams research and test every product. We compare results with other licensed pest control professionals, and we double-check our findings.
Zachary Smith, our company founder, has over 25 years of field experience. He runs his own company, Smith’s Pest Management, serving home and business owners throughout the Bay Area. Zachary has the final say over featured products. The goal is to give you the knowledge you need to solve pest problems like a pro. It’s our pleasure to put our expertise at your service.
FAQs
Application method varies depending on the type of slug killer you buy. Be sure to follow all label directions for the product you’re using. In general, we recommend applying the product in the evening, when slugs are most active, and avoid applying the product on hot, dry, or windy days.
Check the product’s label for all relevant safety precautions and warnings. Use natural and eco-friendly products wherever possible.
Using diatomaceous earth or shallow containers of stale beer (which attract and drown slugs) are both effective ways to eliminate slugs in your lawn or garden.
