Slug

Soft, slimy, shell-less mollusks that feed at night in cool, damp weather. They love seedlings, lettuce, hostas, and low fruit like strawberries.

• Ragged holes in leaves, often with smooth edges.
• Silvery slime trails on soil, leaves, or paths in the morning.
• Whole seedlings gone overnight.

• Set beer traps — jar lids of beer sunk to soil level.
• Water in the morning so soil is dry by nightfall.
• Clear boards, mulch piles, and hiding spots near beds.