Slow-worms in a South Somerset compost bin. The gardener's ally.

The humble Slow-worm in a compost bin.  The gardener's ally.

This story appeared in the Western Daily Press on May 20th.

Damaging slugs and snails in spotlight as gardeners hit back.
A year-long study is being launched to discover the best way to tackle what many gardeners see as their ultimate foes – slugs and snails.

The research project examining mulching, slug pellets and nematodes, a form of biological control of slugs and snails, is being conducted by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and chemicals giant BASF, the only UK maker of nematodes.

It aims to address gaps in understanding how best to tackle slugs and snails, which have topped the list of garden pests in seven of the past ten years, based on queries to the RHS gardening advice service.

The project will test six different control strategies, including the most popular with gardeners and combining multiple methods in a process known as “integrated pest management” to find the best way of battling the pests.

RHS scientist Dr Hayley Jones, who is leading the research, said: “The damage slugs and snails do to plants has, over the years, led to the development of a wide array of control methods.

“However, these animals are still a persistent problem, which means the current treatments are not working as well as hoped. By conducting scientifically robust research into which combinations of treatments are the most effective, gardeners will for the first time have access to guidance on which method best suits their unique circumstances. What this could mean is that in years to come slugs and snails will drop down the table of gardeners’ most troublesome pests.”

Among the six treatments to be tested are using a cultural treatment, or mulch, around plants and mulch with an organic – ferric phosphate – slug pellet.

This letter appeared in the Western Daily Press on May 30th.

Gardeners' welcome for the slowworm.
I read with interest the article reporting the study, by the Royal Horticultural Society and chemicals giant BASF, of the means available to gardeners to combat their “ultimate foe” – slugs and snails ( Western Daily Press May 20).

I suggest the encouragement of natural allies in the battle amid the garden and vegetable plot. One such ally is the humble slow-worm.

Four summers ago I discovered that some of these fascinating creatures had taken up residence in one of my compost bins; since then I have reserved that particular bin for their exclusive use.

Make the slowworm welcome by providing somewhere for it to hibernate; a pile of stones, logs or compost. The female has six to 12 young, born August to October. As their diet includes slugs and snails they will repay your hospitality by helping to keep your garden clear of such pests.

S.W.

Ilminster, Somerset