Go to a "Dollar Store", get some Orange Based multi cleaner, mix with water, as you would do to make dish soap and 1.) pour around the area, but do not allow it to reach root system. If In buckets, set bucket in 3" of the solution, which will stop ants from entering into the drain holes, and floods the area when watering without hurting the root system. For Slugs, buy "sluggo" If you got slugs, it sounds like there is a lot of moisture build up. Mold & fungi will kill your Babies. Soak whole ground cornmeal in warm water for 24 hrs, strain & pour on your plant soil. This will kill mold & fert your plants.