If you garden in Western Washington, chances are good you’ve awakened one morning to discover that some of your favorite plants have been reduced to skeletons.

Most of the time, this kind of damage is the calling card of slugs, but we also have to contend with snails. Maybe the snails haven’t reached your part of the county yet, but it won’t be long at the rate they are spreading.

The brown garden snail, Helix aspersa, first began to appear in Skagit County about 10 years ago. It seems they were introduced in Washington with shipments of plants and garden ornaments from warmer climates. We all thought they would not survive one of our “Arctic blast” winters, but they are still with us and multiplying nicely.

Slugs and snails are close kin. They are the only land-bound members of the mollusk family. They are related to sea creatures such as clams, mussels and oysters.

Both snails and slugs move about on a large, muscled foot that glides on a trail of slime produced by a gland under their heads. They are nocturnal feeders and hide in moist crevices or under garden debris during the heat of the day because their bodies are in danger of drying out during the daylight hours.

During droughts, slugs can dig into moist soil or flatten themselves to squirm under rocks, where they cover themselves with slime to stay hydrated while they wait for the rain. With a shell on its back, a snail simply retreats inside and slimes over the opening to wait out the dry weather.

Both creatures feed on green shoots in the garden and are considered major pests in the Pacific Northwest. Some of their favorites plant snacks are hostas, French marigolds, dahlias, violets, strawberries, lettuce and cabbage.

Getting rid of these pests — or reducing their numbers — is not an easy task. Commercial baits are effective but many have unpleasant side effects. The baits that contain Metaldehyde can be attractive to birds and pets and are toxic if eaten. Baits with iron phosphate as their active ingredient are effective and are not as toxic to other animals. One drawback is that young slugs and snails do not eat any bait, so damage to plants may continue even after bait has been put down early in the season.

If you are reluctant to spread chemicals or baits in your garden, there are alternatives. An online search reveals hundreds of home remedies for deterring slugs and snails. Some are very complicated and time-consuming to prepare, but a few may be worth the effort.

For example, placing barriers around target plants has been shown to be effective. These barriers should be made of rough or sharp material that will cut or scrape the culprit’s body as it tries to cross. Slugs and snails also will shun barriers of crushed eggshells or seashells, cracked nutshells, sandpaper collars, diatomaceous earth, dry evergreen needles, dry holly leaves, coffee grounds, and many other sharp materials.

The important thing to remember about barriers is that slugs and snails should be removed from around the plants to be protected before the barrier is put in place. Also, barriers need to be replaced or renewed regularly and the width of the barrier should be at least one to one-and-a-half inches wide.

Trapping is another method for controlling slugs and snails. Overturned flower pots, boards or cardboard placed on the ground, and commercial traps will provide a daytime shelter; you can go out daily and “pick” slugs and snails and dispatch them with a sharp tool or by dropping them into a bucket of hot soapy water. It depends on your level of tolerance for the disgusting as to whether this method will work for you.

Slugs and snails have some natural enemies. Predacious ground beetles and their larva, toads, frogs, salamanders and garter snakes consider slugs and snails a taste treat. Birds such as blackbirds, crows, ducks, jays, seagulls, starlings and some thrushes consider them pure protein treats. Rhode Island Red chickens also are purported to be great slug and snail hunters.

Yet another way to discourage slimy munchers is to downgrade the menu; that is, to use plants that slugs and snails do not like to eat. The list of slug-unfriendly plants is long; here are a few possibilities: Alyssum, azaleas, daylilies, daffodils, foxglove, Peruvian lily, mint, red cabbage, red oak leaf lettuce and parsley.

As a last resort to control these slippery customers, modify their habitat. Remove debris that can serve as shelter, do not mulch too heavily, and reduce ground cover plantings around targeted plants. These steps reduce hiding places and increase air circulation and sun penetration, which will dry out formerly moist areas and create an unfriendly environment for slugs and snails.

In the end, however, vigilance is the key word for keeping a step ahead of the little critters.

* Gloria Williams is a Washington State University/Skagit County certified Master Gardener. Questions may be submitted to the WSU Extension Office, Burlington, WA 98233. 360-428-4270.