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Every year the RHS publishes a list of popular pests: popular in that they are the ones about whom the RHS entomologists have had the most enquiries. Top of the charts this year are slugs and snails (everybody's bête noir) followed by the harlequin
. On Thursday I'm with the twinkling Chris Beardshaw, on Friday with earthy Monty Don and on Saturday and Sunday with gingery Joe Swift. If you're looking for somewhere to go this coming weekend (10-11 May) please come along and say 'hello'.I'm already looking
A chemical treatment used to kill slugs and snails.
A member of the Mollusca grouping, which includes Gastropoda - soft bodied, unsegmented animals, many of which live in hard shells, eg, slugs and snails.
, smoothing out any creases as you go.AdamTry salads in a pot decorated with this copper tape - it'll give slugs a run for their money and you'll have luscious leaves.Protecting plants from slugs and snailsChoosing slug-resistant plantsKeeping slugs off your
Mow lawns then trim new edges with a half-moon edging toolDig compost into borders to improve water retention Add copper rings to pots to protect plants from slugs and snailsHoe bare areas of soil on dry days to remove weed seedlingsReplenish gravel
)Pick off dead flower heads from spring bulbsProtect emerging shoots of delphiniums and lupins from slugs and snails using a barrier such as copper tape for pots or garlic granules
Tidy up piles of flowerpots and debris that could harbour snailsRaise patio containers on feet or bricks, to ensure their compost drains properlyAvoid walking on lawns covered with heavy frost, as you'll kill the grassProvide birds with fresh water
Spread a layer of manure or compost around roses and shrubsPrepare areas for laying new lawns in spring, digging over, weeding and enriching the soilBe on the look out for slugs and snails, which will attack emerging shoots of perennials
Slug bustersSlugs may have voracious appetites but they're fussy eaters too - and therein lies an answer to a slimy problem. The good news is that there are a selection of plants that slugs, and snails, will steer clear of.Slugs will avoid any
