Slugs are common garden inhabitants, and their slimy trails often spark curiosity, especially among children and pet owners. A frequent concern revolves around whether this distinctive slime is harmful. Understanding the nature of slug slime is important for addressing these anxieties and ensuring safety around these mollusks.
Is Slug Slime Poisonous?
Slug slime does not contain chemical toxins harmful upon contact or ingestion. The primary components of slug slime are water, making up over 90% of its composition, along with mucoproteins and complex carbohydrates. These mucoproteins are large protein molecules that give the slime its viscous, adhesive, and elastic properties.
This unique composition allows slugs to move across various surfaces, providing lubrication and adhesion. The slime also serves as a protective barrier, preventing desiccation from the slug’s soft body. It can additionally deter some predators by making the slug unpalatable or difficult to grasp. While not chemically toxic, direct contact with the slime can be mildly irritating or unpleasant due to its sticky nature.
Other Potential Health Concerns
While slug slime itself is not chemically toxic, slugs can pose other health risks, primarily through their role as intermediate hosts for parasites. One concern is the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which can cause a serious condition called eosinophilic meningitis in humans. Slugs become infected by ingesting rat feces containing the parasite’s larvae. If a human accidentally ingests an infected slug or its slime, the larvae can migrate to the brain and spinal cord, leading to neurological symptoms.
Symptoms of rat lungworm infection can include severe headache, stiff neck, tingling or pain in the skin, fever, nausea, vomiting, and temporary paralysis. These symptoms appear within one to three weeks after exposure. In rare cases, the infection can lead to severe neurological problems or even death. Beyond parasitic risks, some individuals can experience mild skin irritation or an allergic reaction upon direct contact with slug slime. This is uncommon and usually resolves quickly.
Steps to Take After Contact
If you or a pet comes into contact with slug slime, immediate action can help mitigate any potential risks. For skin contact, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water. This removes the slime and any contaminants. Regularly washing hands after gardening or outdoor activities is a good general hygiene practice.
If a child or pet is suspected of having ingested a slug or a significant amount of slime, closely monitor them for any developing symptoms. For pets, especially dogs, ingesting slugs is a known route of parasite transmission, so contact a veterinarian for advice. If a human develops symptoms such as severe headache, stiff neck, or neurological changes after potential exposure, seek prompt medical attention for diagnosis and treatment.