How to protect your plants from attack A common method is to scatter a layer of grit or broken eggshells around the plants, because slugs and snails are thought to dislike crossing the coarse texture. Alternatively, you could try encircling your plants with slug and snail tape. This copper strip gives off a small electric charge when it comes into contact with the slime of the slug or snail. This is enough to repel them and stop them eating plants. Potatoes should be lifted as soon as they have finished growing and plants such as hostas are best grown in pots where they are less likely to be attacked.
Chemical controls Slug pellets and liquid formulations can control slugs underground.
The powdered forms that contain aluminium sulphates are less harmful to other creatures. Rogues' gallery Biological control of slugs Traps to tempt gourmet pests How to protect your plants from attack Chemical controls In-built plant resistance Garden friends Search for plants by plant name or sun exposure and soil type. Send your problems to our experts or read their answers to other gardening questions. Read tips from fellow gardeners. Or send in your ideas for improving this task.