Eco-friendly slug and snail repellents

Alison Patel writes: Slugs and snails are a pest that most gardeners are familiar with, but using pesticides and chemicals to kill them may be harmful to the environment and could result in good insects dying.

That is according to Annie Gatti, who has suggested that there are ways to control pests "without resorting to chemicals".

Writing in the Times, Ms Gatti explained that insects such as hoverflies and ladybirds can be used to control slugs and snails.

She suggested that because some slugs live in the soil "it makes sense to rotovate [earth] in early spring, to bring them and their eggs to the surface to dry out".

Ms Gatti has quoted the organic guide Banish Slugs, which suggested picking off slugs and snails at night.

The book, she said, also recommended gardeners leave a ring of copper around pots or bury it into the ground "around key plants" as it gives slugs and snails an electric shock.

She advised that another way to deter slugs and snails is to "plant a decoy" near areas that need protecting. She explained that French marigolds keep aphids at bay.

The Royal Horticultural Society [RHS] has also suggested leaving trapsfor slugs "such as scooped out half orange, grapefruit or melon skins, laid cut side down".

According to the RHS, courgettes should be picked every two days, particularly when the weather is hot.

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