Trying pine straw in the hosta beds

In the Southern states it's pretty common to use pine straw as mulch.  So I thought I would give it a try in my hosta beds this year.  I think the pine straw will keep the slugs out of the hosta beds.  Pine straw is pretty hard to find in this area.  I actually had to order mine, which didn't make my Fed Ex driver very happy.  It was much easier to spread around than bark mulch I usually put down.  I am just wondering how well it will stay down in fall when having to rake leaves out of the beds.  I'll keep you updated.