RANGE REVIEW: PEST CONTROL
HELP! THE SLUGS ARE BACK Five simple tricks to keep them at bay in the most humane way
As we enter the autumn season and downpours look set to continue across the UK, slug activity is ramping up, leaving prized plants at risk, but experts at Envii have the key to keeping slugs and snails away efficiently using natural methods.
H
ere are the top five ways to control slug pests in the most humane way, without killing them, including the
use of Envii Feed & Protect.
1. Grow plants ‘hard’ and don’t pamper them
Don’t overfeed plants and, when you do fertilise, make sure you feed the soil, not the plant. Nitrogen rich fertilisers encourage rapid plant
growth that tends to be lush and green, high in water content, and low in structural fibres. In other words, soft sappy and absolutely delicious to slugs and snails! Feed the soil with slow-build inputs, such as compost, leaf- mould, well-rotted manure, or turn to Envii Feed & Protect. This plant- strengthening tonic makes leaves less palatable to slugs and snails. It toughens leaf tissue and, because it doesn’t contain any nitrogen, phosphorous or potassium, it
improves resilience without forcing lush growth that that attracts slugs.
2. Carry our night patrols Heading out 10 minutes after dusk with a torch and a bucket to hand-pick slugs and snails from your beds can dramatically reduce numbers. Focus on seedlings, hostas, delphiniums, sweet peas and veg beds, which prove popular with slugs looking for a snack. When you’ve grabbed all you can see, relocate your unwanted visitors at least 20-30 metres from your garden. Any closer and they’ll simply slime their way back!
3. Don’t rush seedlings out We know it’s been a late start to the season and you’re keen to get seedlings out as soon as they’re ready but soft, young plants make easy prey for slimy pests. Instead, let them acclimatise gradually to toughen up, and, if possible, keep them in a cold frame until they’re robust enough to withstand some slug pressure.
4. Make the most of mulch Some mulches work wonders when it comes to slugs and snails; others
Gardeners across the UK are being urged to stay vigilant as a combination of a mild winter and a wet start to summer creates ideal conditions for slugs to thrive. According to garden care experts at Doff, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of slug control and repellent solutions, the recent weather patterns have created the perfect environment for increased slug activity, putting vulnerable flowers, vegetables and young plants at risk. Research from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) states that slugs grow and reproduce more rapidly
www.diyweek.net
SLUG INVASION WARNING AS WET WEATHER GRIPS UK GARDENS Tom Clamp – Head of Technical at
when conditions are moist, with activity heavily influenced by temperature and moisture levels. The warning followed a winter that saw relatively limited periods of prolonged frost across much of the UK. While slug populations naturally fluctuate from year to year, a lack of extended cold weather is widely recognised as beneficial to slug survival.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) describes slugs and snails as being well suited to the UK’s damp, mild climate and advises that these moist conditions provide ideal opportunities for feeding and movement.
Doff says: “While no one can predict exact slug numbers, the conditions we’ve seen so far this year are highly favourable for slug activity. Slugs thrive in damp environments and a mild winter followed by wet weather means gardeners should be prepared for increased pressure on vulnerable plants. “Young seedlings, leafy vegetables and soft-stemmed ornamentals are particularly susceptible to damage. Once slugs become established, they can quickly undo weeks of hard work in the garden, so early prevention is key.”
In 2024, the RHS described
conditions as creating one of the most severe periods of slug activity in recent memory, driven by a mild winter and persistently damp spring and summer weather. Doff is encouraging gardeners to inspect plants regularly, remove potential slug hiding places and take preventative action before populations become established.
• For more information, visit
www.pelsis.com/uk
SEPTEMBER 2026 DIY WEEK 29
do nothing or don’t hold up in wet weather, such as eggshells. Wool pellets have been found to deter slugs, as have coffee grounds and gravel, creating a gritty surface slugs and snails find uncomfortable and difficult to navigate, so use any of these to create a barrier around vulnerable plants.
5. Put them off their food Turn slugs and snails off your plants by playing with their tastebuds. Envii Feed & Protect uses a concentrated blend of micro-nutrients to subtly alter the taste of plant foliage, making it unappealing to slugs and snails and encouraging them to move on – all whilst improving plant growth, nutrient uptake, and overall plant health. Not only does this dual- purpose wonder product nourish plants and safely deter slimy pests, the taste change is so subtle, it is completely undetectable to humans, meaning it won’t impact the flavour of edible plants. Feed & Protect is 100% safe for pets, children, and wildlife.
Unlike traditional slug pellets, Envii Feed & Protect doesn’t harm slugs or other soil organisms, such as earthworms, making it an environmentally friendly option for home gardens. The game- changing product: • Toughens leaf tissue. • Make plants taste bitter to slugs. • Improve resilience and nutrient uptake without forcing lush growth. • Efficiently encourages slugs to move elsewhere. • Keeps your garden as a safe space for pets, children & wildlife.
• For more information or to shop the full range, visit
www.envii.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
