Gardening experts share their best tips for getting rid of slugs.
Contrary to popular belief, experts have revealed that most slugs are actually harmless and “have a lot of positive effects on gardens”.
Lee shares gardening tips on the podcast. Credit: Provided Mark reveals the types of slug repellents you should never use. Credit: Getty Images
“Slugs eat breaking down organic matter and some will attack other slugs that may be causing damage to your garden,” Mark said, as a guest on Blue Peter presenter Lee Connelly's podcast, The Skinny Jean Gardener.
Mark revealed that because of this, you shouldn't try to kill every slug you see.
He recommends checking your plants weekly and removing any slugs, placing them in a bucket and “throwing them in the hedgerow”.
This will allow you to get rid of the problem slugs without harming the beneficial ones.
“I always thought all slugs were bad!” Mr Lee said indignantly.
Mark revealed that slugs prefer wet weather, so at night is the perfect time to head out with a headlamp and “ambush” them.
If you really want to reduce the number of slugs in your garden, gardening experts say iron or ferric phosphate slug pellets are “quite effective.”
This kind of slug repellent can be bought on Amazon for under £5.
Mark explained that traditional slug repellents contain metal azides, which can kill birds if they eat the slugs killed by the repellent.
“Iron and ferric phosphate pellets are pretty safe, so if you must use slag pellets, be careful with them,” he said.
Top 10 plants to avoid in your garden and how to keep slugs away!
Another easy tip for getting rid of slugs from your garden is to plant plants in your garden that invertebrates don't like.
He said, “I'm not growing hostas, I'm growing slug-resistant plants.”
Examples of slug-resistant plants include geraniums and hellebore.
Lee suggested buying some “sacrificial hostas” for the slugs to eat, as it's well known that slugs are very fond of these plants.
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The Sun's gardening editor, Veronica Lorraine, shares her top tasks to get up to this month.
Plant long-stemmed perennials
Given the recent dramatic weather, it's definitely time to stake out any long-stemmed perennials (those that grow every year). Heavy rains and rapid growth can cause them to topple over and die.
Slug and snail removal
Hopefully, as the plants get bigger in the summer, the damage will decrease. The best thing to do is still to grab a headlamp and go outside at night to spot the pests.
Picking Elderflowers
You can use them to make your own cordials, add them to cakes or champagne, or even dab and fry them.
Remove weeds
This is when the weeds in your garden really start to grow. Use a hoe to remove the weeds, or the old fashioned “knees and hand fork” method. Avoid chemicals. Remember, weeds are just plants growing in the wrong place.
Up the grass cutting
From now on, you will need to mow your lawn every week. If you have time, remove the weeds beforehand, as mowing will cause the leaves to fall off and make it harder to see.
Check the tomatoes
Tomato seedlings require regular watering, fertilization, and careful removal of side shoots.
Chelsea Chop
There's still time for the Chelsea chop: Perennials such as rudbeckia, asters, penstemons and sedums will become bushier and bloom for a longer period if cut back by about a third.
Organizing Tulips
If it's a hassle but you have the space, dig up the tulip bulbs and replant them to provide colour next spring.
Picking rose petals
Cut back to the first set of healthy leaves, and you'll see more flowers blooming for a longer period.
Enjoy the space
Take some time to sit and enjoy your garden or outdoor space – it's so good for your mental health – even a few minutes a day can make a big difference.
Mark responded: “This actually happens in industry and it's called the push me, pull me strategy.”
“Plant plants around plants you don’t want attacked.
“For example, if you plant marigolds under your tomatoes, the leafminers will first infest the marigolds and not harm the tomatoes.”
You can buy marigold seeds from Wilko for just 50p.
Another gardener tip is to set up a beer trap.
To do this, place some glasses on the ground and pour in cheap beer.
The slugs are attracted to the smell and fall into the beer, where they drown.
“I guess there are worse ways to die,” Lee joked.
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