Slugs are terrestrial mollusks, gastropods that lack the external shell of their close relative, the snail. While you can hold a slug, this interaction requires significant caution and strict hygiene practices. Simple contact with intact skin is not immediately dangerous, but these garden inhabitants can harbor microscopic agents that pose a health risk if transferred internally. Safe handling techniques are necessary for a safe encounter.
Understanding Health Risks from Slugs
The primary health concern is the Rat Lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Slugs act as intermediate hosts, ingesting larvae shed in the feces of infected rodents. Humans are accidentally infected, usually by consuming contaminated raw produce or, less commonly, transferring larvae from slug slime to the mouth.
If ingested, the infective third-stage larvae travel to the central nervous system. Since humans are not the definitive host, the larvae die, triggering an inflammatory response called eosinophilic meningitis. Symptoms can include severe headache, neck stiffness, and neurological issues, though many infections are mild or asymptomatic.
Slugs also carry common pathogenic bacteria, such as Salmonella and specific strains of Escherichia coli, picked up from the soil and their diet. Simple hand-to-mouth contact after handling can transfer these microbes, potentially leading to gastrointestinal illness. The risk of disease transmission is almost entirely tied to ingestion or contact with mucous membranes, rather than simple surface contact with intact skin.
Best Practices for Safe Handling
The most effective strategy is to minimize direct contact and prioritize immediate, thorough hygiene after handling a slug. If you plan to handle slugs frequently or for an extended period, it is strongly recommended to wear disposable gloves or durable gardening gloves. This creates a physical barrier that prevents the transfer of slime, which may contain parasites or bacteria, directly onto the skin.
If you do touch a slug with bare hands, you must follow a detailed handwashing protocol immediately. Use soap and water, scrubbing vigorously for a minimum of 20 seconds, paying attention to under the fingernails. This action is essential for dislodging and washing away any microscopic parasitic larvae or bacterial contaminants present in the mollusk’s mucus.
Avoid handling slugs if you have any open cuts, abrasions, or wounds on your hands. This prevents any potential infectious material from entering the body. Furthermore, during and immediately after the interaction, consciously avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, or mouth until the full handwashing process is complete.
Minimizing Harm to the Slug
Handling slugs requires a gentle approach because their soft bodies are delicate and susceptible to environmental changes. The slug’s slime coat is fundamental to its survival. This mucus facilitates locomotion, helps the slug adhere to surfaces, and acts as a barrier against desiccation, protecting its permeable skin.
Rough handling or prolonged contact can disrupt this protective layer, making the slug vulnerable to injury and dehydration. The most significant external threat is salt, which causes a fatal reaction through the biological process of osmosis. Salt on the slug’s highly permeable skin rapidly pulls water out of the cells, resulting in lethal dehydration. Ensure your hands are entirely free of salt residue before contact.
To move a slug without causing harm, encourage it to crawl onto a clean leaf, a small piece of paper, or a gloved hand. Avoid squeezing the body, which can cause internal damage, and limit the duration of handling. Slugs are sensitive to heat; holding them for too long can cause stress, so return them quickly to a cool, moist, and shaded environment.