Something Eating Petunia Flowers? Probably Slugs—Here's How to Stop Them

Petunia flowers disappearing overnight? Prime suspect: slugs. They feed at night, leaving holes and slime trails.

Slug Control Options

• Beer traps: Shallow dishes of beer at soil level. Slugs drown. Check nightly.
• Diatomaceous earth (DE): Dust around plants. Must be dry to work—reapply after rain.
• Copper barriers: Copper tape/ribbon around pots/beds. Slugs get mild electric shock crossing it.
• Nematodes (Phasmarhabditis): Microscopic worms that parasitize slugs. Effective but tricky to apply correctly; wait for more user reviews.
• Hand-picking: Night flashlight hunt. Drop in soapy water.

Integrated Approach

Combine beer traps + copper barriers + DE for best results. All are available at garden centers or online.