Wait a minute: there’s a slug that can actually help your garden instead of completely ruining it? Trust me, I was surprised as you are, but it’s totally true!
My fellow gardener friend mentioned this so-called “super slug” whilst we were chatting about our gardens, and i was like, wait what? I’ve spent my entire career talking about keeping those slimy creatures away from our veggies, only to find out it should be the other way around!
Well, this secret gardening superhero is also known as the leopard slug (intriguing, right?). Turns out it can protect your plants by warding off all those bad slugs, kind of like your garden’s personal security.
But how can we identify it from the harmful ones? Is there any way to only keep the good guys in our veggie patch? Find out in a minute as I share my experience with leopard slugs!
Meet The Leopard Slug, AKA Your Garden’s Best Friend
Leopard slugs are also called great gray slugs. These guys are easy to spot with their striking spots and impressive size – they can grow up to a whopping 16cm long!
But don’t worry if you find one in your garden because they’re not the plant pests you might think.
According to BBC Countryfile, leopard slugs aren’t interested in munching on your precious plants. Instead, they have a taste for fungi, like mushrooms, and enjoy feasting on dead plant or animal matter.
They can also help keep other pesky slug species away, thus protecting your plants from any harm!
Also read: The Secret Ingredient To Control Slugs And Snails In The Garden
Consider Hiring Nature’s Clean Up Crew
What most gardeners (including myself) didn’t consider before is embracing wildlife gardens.
I know we all want our gardens to look nice and neat, but sometimes leaving log piles, mulch, or even natural debris can help attract these super slugs (I like to call them nature’s clean up crew!).
These spaces actually provide shelter and food for our slimy little helpers so they can feel welcome into our green paradise.
I remember the first time I stumbled upon a leopard slug in my garden. I had just started leaving log piles, inspired by some gardening tips I read. To my surprise, not long after, I spotted not one, but two leopard slugs making themselves at home.
And you know what happened next? Those pesky snails that had been munching on my veggies disappeared! It was like having tiny garden heroes on patrol.
I was convinced that promoting natural predators like the leopard slug can help manage harmful slug and snail populations by keeping their numbers in check.
And with that, I am suddenly the biggest fan of the leopard slug. I know that these little critters may not be the prettiest, but they play a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem in our gardens.
So, next time you spot a leopard slug in your garden, consider welcoming it with open arms!
Also read: Does Cinnamon Hold The Key To A Mold-Free Oasis In Your Soil?