Tackling slugs and snails

Public enemy number one in the garden needs no introduction. There can be few pests hated as heartily as slugs and snails: anyone who's found hostas eaten to lacy doilies, or lettuces munched to a stump will know the heartbreak these slimy menaces cause.

We've got an armoury of weapons you can use against them available in our garden centre. Use a combination of barriers, baits and traps to keep your plants slug-free.

Barriers are laid thickly around individual plants or beds. Copper rings give slugs a small electric shock, and a thick layer of grit is really hard for slugs and snails to slime across - they hate added garlic even more. Top grit barriers up regularly to keep them effective.

Trap slugs using milk or beer in a purpose-built slug trap available in our garden centre. Place the trap near the plants you want to protect: slugs are irresistibly drawn to the liquid, fall in and drown.

Slug pellets are also available, now as wildlife-friendly ferrous phosphate - scatter sparingly and water in to make them more effective. Replenish regularly to keep your plants well protected.

Please ask a member of the Lakeside team for more information and advice about slug deterrents suitable for your garden.