Slugs Invading St. Louis Apartment: Iron Phosphate Baits, Ammonia Spray, Coffee Grounds, and Barriers

Slugs crossing the patio into your St. Louis apartment at night—bird feeders nearby, neighbors unaffected—need a multi-pronged, non-lethal approach.

Best Bait

Escar-Go (iron phosphate) — organic, pet/bird-safe, rain-fast. Scatter around patio pots and entry points. Reapply 10 days. gardensalive.com. Also: Sluggo, Worry-Free.

Supplemental Tactics

• Ammonia spray: 1 tbsp lemon ammonia + 1 tbsp non-concentrated dish soap per gallon. Spray soil/patio early morning 2×/week.
• Coffee grounds: Used grounds around pots — studies show 80% fewer slugs; caffeine kills juveniles.
• Barriers at door: Copper tape on threshold, or diatomaceous earth line (reapply after rain). Slugs won't cross.
• Bird feeder management: Clean spilled seed daily. Use no-waste feeders. Seed attracts slugs.

Why Neighbors Don't Have Them

Micro-habitat: your patio retains more moisture, has more shelter, or is on their travel corridor.

Combine bait + barrier + sanitation. You'll sleep better.