Did you know slugs are not insects, but mollusks? And that they've been around for hundreds of millions of years?

Which is why it's kind of amusing that humans still have so much trouble controlling these ravenous garden pests in a way that's economical, effective, and sustainable.

I'm sure you've heard or read about all the usual tactics for dealing with slugs: using copper tape, spreading coffee grounds or eggshells around plants you want to protect, making beer traps or just going straight to Sluggo to get rid of them.

But what actually works?

I can tell you it's definitely not coffee grounds—I've watched slugs crawl over coffee grounds without a second thought, and even stop and roll around in it (totally unaffected) like they're getting a coffee scrub at the spa!

And beer traps work to a certain extent, but it's not because they like the taste of beer. In fact, there's something else that slugs can't get enough of, and if you use it with the right kind of trap (not just a pie pan or yogurt cup), you can trap dozens of slugs overnight.

​Here's how I stopped slugs from eating my plants (and kept them away—without resorting to poison).​

Seasonal tips

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A Simple Way to Harden Off Seedlings in 7 Days (Or Less) Read more

P.S. How I stopped slugs from eating my plants (and kept them away—without resorting to poison).

P.P.S. It's almost summer! Here's to road tripping, grilling, and enjoying food, friends and family outside. Let one of my books inspire your next meal:​