Previously, Spanish slugs were a problem mainly around Tallinn. Now they have reached Tartu and other parts of Estonia.
In 2020, there were few Spanish slugs in Tartu. Now they are present in almost every district of the city. Many residents have seen them for the first time.
One Tartu resident, Sigrid, says: "This year we have seen five slugs. Last year there were none."
Another resident, Margit, adds: "They eat our strawberries. They are also on the sidewalks. They are hard to remove."
The Environmental Board has a map where people mark the locations of slugs. The map shows that there are more and more of them in Tartu.
In 2023, 17 slugs were marked. In 2024, there are already 34. So far, they have been seen 41 times, and the number is growing.
The Environmental Board says the problem is not very big yet. But the number of slugs is growing rapidly.
The city of Tartu receives complaints from residents. The city tries to mow the grass so that slugs do not stay. But in some places, the grass is kept tall for nature.
The head of city management, Rein Haak, says: "We need to consider where the grass could be lower."
The city hopes that residents will organize community workdays to remove the slugs. Temporary trash bins are not planned to be installed.
Haak adds: "The best is for the community to organize workdays. If people come to help, we can assist them."