Slugs are a common pest in the garden, munching on new growth and seedlings - but there is no need to panic as there are many methods to control their population in your garden
10:01, 09 Jan 2025
A gardening and greenhouse expert has shed light on why gardens may be experiencing a surge in slug populations.
Gardening and greenhouse expert Lucie Bradley from Two Wests and Elliott, revealed: "Slugs are not only the bane of gardeners' lives after they munch the new growth of precious plants, demolish seedlings overnight and munch irregularly-shaped holes in leaves, the slimy creatures also evoke a sense of unease and phobia in the hearts of everyday individuals.
"Snails and slugs are most active at night and on cloudy or foggy days. On sunny days, they seek hiding places from the heat and bright light. Often the only clues to their presence are their silvery trails and plant damage. During cold weather, snails and slugs hibernate in the topsoil."
One common reason for seeing these unwanted visitors during winter is overwatering, which creates a damp environment that these pests find attractive – it's therefore key to water your garden appropriately.
Rainfall can also inadvertently invite slugs into your garden, a harder situation to mitigate. Bradley added: "Slugs are scavengers and feed on decaying plant matter, if there is decaying organic material in your garden, such as fallen leaves or compost, it can attract them."
Fortunately, there are numerous ways to tackle this pest problem, reports the Express. It's easy to neglect the garden’s tidiness in the colder months when outdoor activity drops, but keeping the area clean can help reduce the presence of these pests.
However, it's crucial to clear away debris, mulch and other potential daytime hiding spots for these pests. The gardening guru went on to say: "Encourage natural predators of slugs, such as birds and beetles, by providing bird feeders or planting flowers that attract beneficial insects.
"Also create physical barriers around susceptible plants using materials like copper tape, diatomaceous earth or eggshells, as slugs are less likely to cross these."
Egg shells are a fantastic solution because they remain effective even in the rain, creating a challenging environment for slugs to traverse. Beer traps also work well, so consider setting up traps by burying containers filled with beer into the soil. The pests are drawn to the yeast in the beer and will fall into the traps.
Lucie added: "If the slug population is manageable, manually pick them off plants, especially during the evening when they are most active. It's important to address the underlying factors contributing to the slug's presence to effectively control their population in your garden."