Are slugs poisonous?
Apr 22, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Bing
Introduction
Slugs are non-toxic. Also known as “nose-slugs,” slugs are mollusks that resemble snails without shells. Many people mistakenly believe slugs are poisonous; in fact, they are not toxic at all and are relatively easy to kill—sprinkling sugar or salt on a slug causes it to dehydrate and die. Introducing natural predators of slugs, such as chickens and ducks, can effectively control or eliminate slug populations.
It is commonly believed that slugs are highly dangerous creatures, and people often worry about poisoning after coming into contact with them. Are slugs actually toxic?
Are slugs toxic?
Slugs are not toxic. Also known as “nieti chong” (a Chinese colloquial term) or “ku yu” (the formal Chinese name for slug), they are soft-bodied mollusks resembling snails without shells. Many people mistakenly believe slugs are poisonous; in fact, they are completely non-toxic and relatively easy to kill. Sprinkling sugar or salt on a slug causes rapid dehydration and death. Introducing natural predators—such as chickens or ducks—into the environment can effectively control slug populations. Alternatively, you may lure slugs into glass jars filled with cornmeal and then feed the captured slugs to chickens or ducks for disposal.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), slugs are primarily used to treat epilepsy, wheezing, sore throat, abscesses, erysipelas, amenorrhea, stroke, muscle spasms, and centipede bites. However, as a TCM herb, slugs differ significantly from Western pharmaceuticals: self-administration based solely on package instructions is inappropriate. Therefore, consultation with a qualified healthcare professional is essential before using slug-based remedies.
To deter slugs, sprinkle ground ginger powder in areas where they frequently appear; slugs are sensitive to the odor of ginger and will gradually retreat. When slugs damage plants, wrapping copper wire around the plant stems or base can help—slugs avoid the electromagnetic field generated by copper. We hope this information proves helpful.
