# Slugs on String Bean Plants
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Slugs
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Slugs look like snails without shells. Depending on the species, they measure between 1/4 and 7 inches long and vary in color from dull browns and grays to bright orange, some with spots. They are most active on overcast days and from two hours after sunset until 2 hours before sunrise. They need cool, moist conditions to survive and spend the daylight hours hiding under rocks and debris in or near the garden.
Indications and Damage
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Slugs create large, irregular holes in the leaves and stems of bean plants, beginning at the bottom of the plant and working their way up. They feed on the edges of large leaves and eat small leaves and young seedlings in their entirety. Look for a silvery trail of slime on the soil as well as the foliage. The wounds they cause allow fungus and disease to enter the plant.
Control
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Copper wire, flashing or foil placed around plants form an effective barrier that snails won't cross. Fine, sharp material, such as diatomaceous earth and wood ash, also form effective barriers, but the use of these materials is limited because they don't stay in place. Baits containing iron phosphate, sometimes called ferric phosphate, effectively kill slugs without posing a risk to the safety of bean crops. Iron phosphate is safe to use around pets and wildlife. Apply baits according to the package instructions.
Making Traps
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Slugs hide in cool, moist places during the day, so anything that offers them a hiding place, such as a board or large stone, makes a good trap. Remove slugs found under traps twice a day until they are under control. A shallow dish filled with beer also makes a good trap. Slugs are attracted to the beer, and once they enter the container they drown. Bury the beer trap up to the lip in garden soil. Grapefruit or cantaloupe rinds placed hollow-side down also make effective traps. Replace the rinds every two to three days.
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