Protect fruit and veg from slugs by placing one item in garden, says RHS

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has revealed that slugs may be deterred from consuming gardeners' produce if a single item is placed in the garden . The recent warm spell saw slugs seeking refuge in shaded areas. However, with the nation now experiencing persistent rainfall, they're expected to re-emerge. The RHS is anticipating a surge in enquiries from its 625,000 members over the coming days regarding slug management, and has therefore issued some practical guidance . Dr Hayley Jones, the principal entomologist at the RHS, has encouraged gardeners to avoid killing the slugs. Instead, she advises laying down straw around crops such as strawberries, as slugs are reluctant to crawl across it. Dr Jones also recommended leaving unplanted seedlings in for a little bit longer than usual and positioning them on a raised surface. She further suggested conducting "nighttime searches to find slugs and relocate them, preferably to your compost heap", reports the Express . The RHS has also previously provided guidance on how watering plants at specific times can offer protection against slugs. They stated: "Water in the mornings as soon as the sun comes up, and plants will start to use water. The foliage and soil surface are also likely to stay drier for longer than evening watering, discouraging slugs, snails, and mildew diseases. "Plants start to transpire in sunlight, drawing water from the soil, through their roots, up their stems and out through tiny pores on their leaves called stomata." Dr Jones is not alone in offering guidance on tackling slug infestations. Household Advice Editor Katie Mortram, writing in Good Housekeeping, has suggested that homeowners can construct an effective deterrent using everyday household materials. She said: "As for slugs and snails, you can protect your plants with a few small adjustments. You can create a barrier of eggshells, coffee grounds, wool pellets or copper rings. For potted plants, applying petroleum jelly on the outside of the pot acts as another measure." MyBuilder.com's Ellen has also weighed in on the slug problem affecting British gardens, recommending a barrier constructed from an alternative material — sheep's wool. Speaking to the Express about her recommendation, she said: "Spring is here, and millions of gardeners are getting ready to roll up their sleeves and get to planting for the summer season. An issue for many is slugs and snails, but wool has the ability to act as a barrier, which copper tape, egg shells, and coffee grains aren't able to do. The lanolin in the wool keeps them away, making it a simple and natural way to protect plants." She added: "Sheep's wool isn't just cost-effective, it serves a variety of purposes in the garden, since it decomposes and releases its natural benefits over time. It's also an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic products and fits in perfectly with the growing demand for greener gardening methods."