Why you possibly can count on to see fewer slugs within the backyard this spring | EUROtoday

Gardeners can breathe a sigh of aid: specialists predict a big drop in slug populations this spring, following a record-breaking yr for the creatures.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) entomology workforce attributes the decline to the chilly snaps skilled over the winter and the latest dry spell, creating much less beneficial circumstances for slug proliferation.

This can be excellent news for gardeners elevating crops like lettuce, carrots and broccoli from seed, the entomology workforce mentioned.

This prediction marks a stark distinction to 2024, which noticed an unprecedented surge in slug-related inquiries to the RHS, the very best since data started within the Seventies.

The gentle, moist climate all through winter, spring, and summer season supplied preferrred circumstances for slugs to thrive.

The absence of extended heat, dry spells meant they weren’t compelled underground to flee the dehydrating results of solar and warmth.

However, the RHS factors out that, climate apart, their data point out that years of excessive slug exercise are sometimes adopted by durations of decrease exercise.

This pure fluctuation is attributed to a number of elements, together with elevated predation, illness, parasites, and competitors for assets when slug populations are excessive. These elements contribute to a pure decline in numbers.

The RHS mentioned slugs are a part of a wholesome backyard ecosystem, with simply 9 of the estimated 44 UK species being notable plant nibblers.

But the charity nonetheless advises that younger crops are left to develop sturdy indoors, beneath glass or excessive up, earlier than being planted in beds and borders.

It additionally mentioned that glasshouse thrips and purple spider mites have been thriving in gardens throughout latest heat summers and are on the rise nationally, however the colder begin to the yr may delay their presence, limiting injury to bay timber, viburnum and tomatoes this yr.

Hayley Jones, principal entomologist on the RHS, mentioned: “Slugs are here to stay so learning to think like one is how you can best limit their pesky behaviour on your plot.

“While inviting wildlife into your garden will help to keep them in check you can apply layers of management that include tweaking your watering regime, using a dry textured mulch, or manually moving slugs to a compost heap after dusk.”