Eliminating Slug Larvae

Q: Is there some way to eliminate slug larvae in the ground before they start destroying my plants? I use beer to kill the adult ones, but it gets quite expensive. 

A: Slugs typically overwinter as adults, although there may be a few eggs in the soil too. Your beer traps are probably the best way to manage their numbers. Start early in the spring when daytime temperatures are above 50 degrees. If you’d rather not use beer, you can make a cheap slug attractant by mixing four cups of water, four tablespoons of flour, a tablespoon of sugar, and a teaspoon of baking yeast. Please three or four saucers around your flower bed and fill them with liquid. Check them every couple of days to discard dead slugs and old liquid.