Dealing with slugs

Slugs and snails are among the biggest pests a gardener can face, and can undo much of your good work all too easily.

It can be tempting to buy a chemical deterrent, but there are plenty of tried-and-tested organic techniques you can use to try to fend them off.

One of these is to use beer to attract slugs and trap them. Dregs left over from your evening tipple can be placed in the bottom of a jar, which should then be sunk into the soil near your vulnerable plants. Check these regularly and empty them in the mornings.

Another effective method of deterring the pests is to lay down barriers to stop slugs from reaching your plants in the first place.

Crushed eggshells are an easy and cost-effective solution – slugs and snails don't like moving over the scratchy surface, so place them around plants that are particularly prone to coming under attack.

A number of other materials can be used for this purpose if you don't have any eggshells to hand. Sandpaper is a good substitute, but you can also obtain specialist copper tape to act as barriers.

If you're really determined to ensure your plot remains a slug-free zone, you could look to encourage their natural predators to take up residence in your garden.

Ducks and some other birds, frogs, toads, hedgehogs, slow-worms and ground beetles all prey on slugs and snails. One way to control the pests would therefore be to lure the predators in by incorporating a feature such as a pond, for instance. Obviously this isn't an ideal solution for everyone, but it's worth considering if you have a big garden.

Of course, one sure-fire way to get rid of the blighters is to go out yourself on a mild evening and pick them off with the aid of a torch. It might not be the most pleasant way to spend your free time, but it could be worth it to protect your most vulnerable plants.