How can we control slugs and snails in our gardens? 

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Slugs can make short work of the plants in your garden but using some barrier products and slug-resistant plants will help to maintain the natural balance and reduce the potential damage. Picture: iStock

Slugs are a persistent and perennial pest in Irish gardens. The slimy molluscs leave tell-tale trails all around the garden as they make their way to feast on horticultural delights. 

They can devastate freshly planted seedlings in an entire allotment or vegetable patch in one short few hours, normally during the night when they know that we are fast asleep. I’m convinced, in my place, that they keep an eye for when I turn out the light and then in scenes reminiscent of Peter Rabbit I can imagine the slugs dancing and laughing all night in the garden until the sun rises once more and they retreat inside their shells once more.