Slug Eggs

Found this group of presumably over-wintered slug eggs in a container. Slug eggs resemble little dark yellow pills about 3mm diameter. Although laid in groups in a damp spot just beneath the soil/compost surface, they are also laid amongst the roots and tubers of over-wintering plants and are a particular problem with dahlia tubers because the slugs hatch out just as the tender young shoots are emerging from the tuber. Slugs can do massive damage to young plants in a very short space of time - they need watching, especially in damp, warm conditions.

If buying plants from a nursery, do not confuse slow-release fertilizer granules with slug eggs. They are about the same size, but slug eggs are definitely dark yellow.