Oregon State University Extension Service

How to create a slug trap using bread dough slurry

Research from OSU found the most successful attractant for slugs is bread dough.

“We gave them a choice of food and they consistently went for the bread dough,” said Rory McDonnell, associate professor and Extension gastropod specialist. He collaborated with scientists from other states on a study published in a special 2021 issue of Insects that focuses on slugs and snails.

“They really, really like it. They went bonkers for it. Bread dough outperformed everything,” McDonnell said.

In one instance, over 18,000 snails were trapped in 48 hours.

Now, you can make a bread dough using the researcher’s recipe.

Let’s make slug slurry: a bread dough slug trap.

  • Let's make slug slurry! A bread dough slug trap, spoon in container of foaming beige liquid
    Photo: LeAnn Locher

This tutorial walks you through the steps and ingredients needed to create a slug trap using bread dough as an attractant. The steps shown here are an interpretation of the OSU field research, made approachable for a home gardener.

Note: You will need to hand-pick the slugs from the dough or turn it into a slug slurry to attract the slugs who then drown in the liquid. Keep dogs away from bread dough in the garden.

Step by step tutorial

  • You will need...hands at bowl, spoon, yeast packet, flour container, measuring cups

    Let's get started! Here are the ingredients you will need:

    • 1 cup flour
    • 2 cups water + more as needed
    • 1 packet yeast
    • Small container (recycle a yogurt or cottage cheese container, for example)

    (Click through the righthand arrows on the photos to go through each step of the process.)

    Photo: LeAnn Locher
  • Combine + mix, hands pouring flour and yeast with water into container

    Mix together the flour, water and a packet of yeast. Add more water as needed to make a slurry. There isn’t an exact measurement. You need it to be in a liquid form to trap the slugs with this method.

    Photo: LeAnn Locher
  • plastic container with beige liquid

    Pour the slurry into a small container.

    Photo: LeAnn Locher
  • hand digging in soil next to hosta leaves

    Dig a shallow hole in the area where slugs may be living in the garden.

    Photo: LeAnn Locher
  • container of beige liquid in soil next to hosta

    Place the container of slurry in the hole, with the edge of the container at or just above ground level. Fill in the dirt around the container.

    Photo: LeAnn Locher
  • slug on edge of slurry container in soil

    Check the container every morning and remove slugs. Refresh the slurry as needed.

    Notes:

    • The dough works best when it is moist.
    • Stir daily and add water as needed.
    • Fresher yeast may cause the dough to rise in the container.
    Photo: LeAnn Locher
  • bread dough blog on soil next to hosta

    If you prefer to make the dough and not the slurry, reduce the water by half and plop your dough blob in the garden. Be ready to handpick the slugs out daily and keep the dough moist.

    Photo: LeAnn Locher
  • slugs in slug slurry container

    “This works wonders in my garden! I used your recipe starting in February in Olympia Washington. Baby slugs came out of nowhere and eagerly ate it up." Penny L.

    Photo: Penny Longwell
  • dead slugs in pan next to slug slurry container

    "Now in May I'm getting the larger slugs. Make sure you clean it out often or it starts to stink.” Penny L.

    Photo: Penny Longwell
  • slugs and insects in a container of bread dough slurry

    "This is the best remedy ever for slugs, pill bugs, and even flies! We have caught hundreds and hundreds of them in just a couple weeks." – Kati M., Corvallis

    Photo: Kati McCrae

If you have tested it out, share your feedback or questions with us below.

Slug on gravel
Source URL: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gallery/how-create-slug-trap-using-bread-dough-slurry