By Jowena Riley Published: 02:41 EDT, 23 August 2024 | Updated: 02:41 EDT, 23 August 2024

As summer in the UK draws to a close and spells of wet weather is set to sweep the UK, gardeners are facing a familiar seasonal challenge: the arrival of slugs. These slimy pests thrive in the damp conditions that often accompany the late summer weather, wreaking havoc on carefully tended gardens and produce. With the potential to destroy vegetables and flowers, and even make their way indoors, slugs are a nuisance many gardeners dread.Fortunately, there are several natural remedies that can help keep these unwanted guests at bay, without resorting to harmful chemicals. Ted Bromley-Hall, a gardening expert at IBRAN, has teamed up with Tombola to offer some advice for gardeners looking to protect their outdoor spaces from slug invasions.  As summer in the UK draws to a close and spells of wet weather is set to sweep the UK, gardeners are facing a familiar seasonal challenge: the arrival of slugs (stock image)He says: ‘There’s a common misconception that eggshells are a great physical deterrent to slugs, but in reality, slugs are able to cross most sharp surfaces thanks to their secretion of a dense mucus slime.’Ted warns: ‘Worse still, decaying, unwashed eggshells emit a smell that attracts slugs!’For those with greenhouses or sheltered areas, Ted suggests using finely powdered gypsum as a more effective solution.  ‘The powder prevents the slugs from being able to create traction,’ he says. Additionally, laying thick cuttings of spiky bramble bushes horizontally can provide a stable physical barrier that slugs and snails struggle to overcome. The expert also emphasises the importance of avoiding pesticides and harsh chemicals, which can have unintended consequences for other wildlife and the soil’s chemistry. Ted said: ‘The problem with any chemical or substance you use to kill or repel slugs is the effect it either has on other wildlife such as hedgehogs and amphibians, as well as the effect it will have on the chemistry of the soil. ‘For example, there are many iron-based slug repellent pellets available that are considered to be organic but are also harmful to toads and frogs. Salt is another example of this.’ Laying thick cuttings of spiky bramble bushes (pictured) horizontally can provide a stable physical barrier that slugs and snails struggle to overcome (stock image)One particularly surprising piece of advice from Ted is to take advantage of the slugs’ cannibalistic tendencies, as the molluscs are known to snack on their fallen friends for moisture and protein. By creating a “slug graveyard” in a specific location near their favorite spots, gardeners can attract the pests back to the same area, where they can then be removed or disposed of before causing further damage to greenery.Ted’s advice comes as experts have shared tips to homeowners on how to bolster spider defences, especially with the arachnid mating season on the horizon. Pest expert John Stewart, a member of the technical team at Pelsis UK, has proffered his timely tips on how to keep the eight-legged invaders at bay. According to Stewart, there’s one common mistake that many of us are guilty of that could unintentionally make homes more attractive to spiders: excessive lighting inside and outside your property. 

Share or comment on this article:
How to keep slugs away from gardens amid spells of wet weather, according to an expert