Whether it's potted plants or flowerbeds, create barriers around your plants with garden repellants such as coffee grounds, crushed eggshells, wood pellets or copper tape – you could even set beer traps.

Slug pellets containing metaldehyde are illegal in the UK. Instead, opt for natural solutions: “Try blending up garlic cloves mixed with water to create a strong solution. The scent of the garlic will naturally repel slugs once sprayed around your garden," Garden Buildings Direct suggests. “Slugs are also repelled by citrus fruits so place the peels and rinds of oranges, lemons and limes around the most vulnerable plants to stop any pest damage."

Nematodes (or roundworms) can also be introduced to destroy the larvae and encourage predators into your garden, such as frogs, birds and hedgehogs.

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