Identification

• Slugs and snails are biologically similar, although slugs don't have external shells like snails do. They both dislike heat and light and will seek shelter on sunny days, hiding beneath plants and mulch. They leave a trail of mucus as they move, and they chew irregular, smooth-edged holes in leaves and flowers. Slugs and snails lay dozens of eggs at a time, several times a year, in dirt or rotting organic matter. Ridding a garden of these pests usually requires a combination of treatment methods.
  
  

Pest Management

• Because snails and slugs hide during the day, removing their habitat is the first step in managing them. Clear debris and underbrush out of the garden, leaving few places for pests to hide. Remove dense ground cover and low-lying leaves on plants. Handpicking snails is an effective method if done regularly. This is helpful in areas where their hiding places can't be removed, such as architectural features, fences and decks. Snail traps are an alternative method; you can purchase commercial traps at a garden center or make them at home by placing inverted melon rinds in the garden. A shallow dish of beer or sugar water with yeast also attracts snails and slugs. Commercial snail bait is poisonous to all snails and slugs, but it is also dangerous for animals and humans. Don't use snail bait in a household with children or pets.
  
  

Geography

• Ferns in general prefer ample shade and high humidity. The southern shield fern is one of the few varieties that can tolerate direct sun and even mild drought. It requires frequent watering if planted in a sunny area. It thrives in rich, non-compacted soil. A north-facing garden or an area shaded by a large tree canopy are ideal spots for these ferns to grow. The southern shield fern is native to the Atlantic coastal plain and is hardy in planting zones 7 through 10.
  
  

Plant Care

• The southern shield fern's light-green fronds grow to a height of 2 to 3 feet and should be planted in an area that can accommodate its size. Ferns prefer acidic soil rich in organic matter. Well-rotted compost and sphagnum peat moss tilled into the garden bed raise the acidity and encourage efficient drainage. Keep the crown or rhizome of each plant above ground level and apply a layer of protective mulch to the bed.