Slugs are your friends, gardeners are told

RHS says molluscs act as nature’s ‘clean-up crew’ and should not be driven out of natural habitats

GARDENERS should not kill slugs because they are beneficial for their plants, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has said.

Slugs and snails act as “nature’s clean-up crew” by consuming dead plants and animals, and recycling nutrients back into the soil, the charity said.

The creatures can also clean algae off the glass of greenhouses, albeit leaving behind a trail of slime. The RHS has launched a campaign with the Wildlife Trusts for people to “make friends with a mollusc” because it encourages gardeners to allow slugs and snails to thrive.

The molluscs provide vital food for many animals including frogs, song thrushes, and ground beetles, it says.

“By learning to appreciate and coexist with these creatures, gardeners can adopt a more environmentally friendly approach to gardening,” a spokesman for the campaign said.

Helen Bostock, a senior wildlife specialist at the RHS, said: “The RHS wants everyone to help protect the plants, animals and fungi that benefit our gardens and protect the wider environment.

“While a small number of slugs and snails can cause damage to certain plants, overall they bring many benefits to the garden and contribute to a balanced ecosystem.

“We hope that by highlighting the crucial work that molluscs do in our gardens we can help give them a well-deserved reputation makeover.”

In 2022, the charity removed slugs and snails from its list of pests, as part of moves to encourage more naturefriendly gardening.

It claims that only a small fraction of the 150 UK species cause damage to plants.

It also wants gardeners to avoid the use of pesticides and herbicides to protect bees and other pollinators.

To reduce the negative impact of slugs and snails in the garden, the RHS has suggested several strategies. These include choosing plants that are less attractive to slugs and snails, manually removing them rather than using chemicals, and implementing barriers such as copper tape and wool pellets.

It also suggests creating a garden that is welcoming to ground beetles and toads, which are the natural predators of slugs. This can be achieved by introducing suitable habitats such as long grass, log piles and ponds.

“I have always welcomed snails and slugs in my garden; they play such an important role in maintaining natural functionality,” said Kathryn Brown, the Wildlife Trusts’ director of climate change and evidence.

“The Wildlife Trusts want everyone to avoid using pesticides which can indiscriminately harm other creatures too. You can grow a range of plants that snails and slugs tend not to eat, such as onions and hardy herbs, instead of trying to control them.

She added: “These marvellous molluscs help to enrich and aerate the soil, and they’re also a great food source for other incredible animals such as newts and beetles.”

‘While a small number of slugs and snails can harm certain plants, overall they bring many benefits’