HOW TO MANAGE SLUGS

Dr Anton Rosenfeld of Garden Organic shares ways to tackle what many gardeners consider their most troublesome adversary

- Dr Anton Rosenfeld

Many of us would like a magic solution to slugs. I get asked "what do you do about slugs?" most times I visit a gardening group. But I will be upfront now and say I still haven't found the ultimate solution. However, there are ways to limit their damage.

Slugs must be the most maligned group of creatures in the garden. But after you've had a collection of your carefully tended plants methodically severed at the base overnight, I can understand why. But let's get some perspective on slugs.

TYPES OF SLUGS TO LOOK OUT FOR

There are around 40 species in the UK, but only a handful cause damage to your plants. The rest do all sorts of useful jobs, such as breaking up old rotting plant material and helping the compost process. They also provide food for many mammals and birds.

Let's take a closer look at some of the more common types:

Green cellar slugs are 5-10cm (2-4in) long and have a mottled green pattern. You are most likely to find these in your compost bin.

Their diet consists of rotting organic matter, and they are unlikely to damage your plants.

Leopard slugs are of a similar size and have a more pronounced leopard skin print. These slugs eat rotting organic matter, but they also eat other slugs, so they're important for keeping the population of slug pests under control.

Grey field slugs are the most widespread and troublesome species that is likely to eat your plants. It grows to only 5cm (2in) in length and is a dull light grey or brown colour.