Annuals Dying with Sticky Residue: Slugs or Aphids?

Window Box Pansies Show Torn Petals and Sticky Coating

Petals appear eaten, sticky residue on leaves. Same happened last year: shiny coating, then wilting and death.

Expert Diagnosis: Slugs

Slugs (not insects) leave slime trails, feed at night, hide by day. Control: remove habitat (debris, excess mulch), use cedar chips/pine needles/eggshells as barriers, hand-pick at night, beer traps, slug baits (metaldehyde), copper barriers. Encourage predators (toads, birds).

Follow-Up: Slugs vs. Aphids

Aphids leave sticky honeydew (sugary); slugs leave non-sticky slime. Controls differ: aphids need insecticide (neem/soap works); slugs need molluscicides. Neem/soap won't control slugs.