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| 'Sleepless slugs' on rise, say experts | 'Sleepless slugs' on rise, say experts |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Last year's wet summer, followed by one of the warmest winters on record, has helped to create a generation of sleepless slugs, wildlife experts have warned. | Last year's wet summer, followed by one of the warmest winters on record, has helped to create a generation of sleepless slugs, wildlife experts have warned. |
| The weather has not been cold enough in recent months to send the creatures into hibernation. | The weather has not been cold enough in recent months to send the creatures into hibernation. |
| Conservation charity BugLife said Britons could start to a see a slug population "explosion". | Conservation charity BugLife said Britons could start to a see a slug population "explosion". |
| This could cause "devastation for our gardens", it warned. | This could cause "devastation for our gardens", it warned. |
| 'Devastation for gardens' | 'Devastation for gardens' |
| Slugs stay active when temperatures remain above 5C (41F). | |
| Because of the warm winter, slugs have not gone into hibernation and have been eating and and breeding through the winter months. | |
| The average British garden usually has as many as 20,000 slugs - with the gastropods laying as many as 200 eggs per cubic metre - but Buglife predicted that number could increase over this year by 10%. | The average British garden usually has as many as 20,000 slugs - with the gastropods laying as many as 200 eggs per cubic metre - but Buglife predicted that number could increase over this year by 10%. |
| It said a decline in populations of many of the slugs' predators, such as amphibians and hedgehogs, was also a factor. | It said a decline in populations of many of the slugs' predators, such as amphibians and hedgehogs, was also a factor. |
| December 2015 was the warmest since records began in 1910, with temperatures around 7.9C (46F), making it feel more like April or May. | December 2015 was the warmest since records began in 1910, with temperatures around 7.9C (46F), making it feel more like April or May. |
| Matt Shardlow, chief executive of Buglife, said: "Due to climate shifts, warmer winters and wetter summers, we're seeing slugs become active all year round. | Matt Shardlow, chief executive of Buglife, said: "Due to climate shifts, warmer winters and wetter summers, we're seeing slugs become active all year round. |
| "Whereas key predators like amphibians will only lay their eggs once a year, slugs are not so restricted. | "Whereas key predators like amphibians will only lay their eggs once a year, slugs are not so restricted. |
| "Coupled with the fact that general slug varieties are also reaching full size earlier than ever, gardeners are simply not getting any respite and need innovative management solutions. | "Coupled with the fact that general slug varieties are also reaching full size earlier than ever, gardeners are simply not getting any respite and need innovative management solutions. |
| "The impact of super-sized, sleepless slugs could spell devastation for our gardens this summer." | "The impact of super-sized, sleepless slugs could spell devastation for our gardens this summer." |
| How to keep slugs at bay | How to keep slugs at bay |
| While many slugs help condition soil by breaking it down and eat decaying plants - and even, in some cases, each other - others feed on fresh leaves and are regarded by gardeners as pests. | While many slugs help condition soil by breaking it down and eat decaying plants - and even, in some cases, each other - others feed on fresh leaves and are regarded by gardeners as pests. |
| Gardeners can help prevent slugs from eating their plants by: | Gardeners can help prevent slugs from eating their plants by: |
| Plant pathologist Pippa Greenwood, who appears on Gardeners' Question Time, told BBC Radio Four's Today programme it was likely to be a "really bad year for slugs". | Plant pathologist Pippa Greenwood, who appears on Gardeners' Question Time, told BBC Radio Four's Today programme it was likely to be a "really bad year for slugs". |
| She said that most species of slugs in the UK were "harmless" - usually the larger ones - but a few caused "significant damage" in gardens. | She said that most species of slugs in the UK were "harmless" - usually the larger ones - but a few caused "significant damage" in gardens. |
| Asked what gardeners should do about the problem, she added: "Take action now. What better way to spend a bank holiday weekend than going on a slug hunt." | Asked what gardeners should do about the problem, she added: "Take action now. What better way to spend a bank holiday weekend than going on a slug hunt." |
| Flowers slugs like to avoid | |
| Source: Wyevale Garden Centres | |
| The effect of warm weather is not just having an impact on slugs. | The effect of warm weather is not just having an impact on slugs. |
| While the warm weather is good for the gastropod, it is bad for bees and wasps. | While the warm weather is good for the gastropod, it is bad for bees and wasps. |
| The weather has been too warm for them to hibernate and the summers too wet for them to forage. | The weather has been too warm for them to hibernate and the summers too wet for them to forage. |
| Wet, warm summers are also good for aphids - also regarded by gardeners as a pest - but Buglife said it was likely an increase in the number of ladybirds would balance the numbers out. | Wet, warm summers are also good for aphids - also regarded by gardeners as a pest - but Buglife said it was likely an increase in the number of ladybirds would balance the numbers out. |
| Has your garden been affected by the mild winter? Have you noticed a "slug explosion"? Share your stories and pictures of your garden. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Has your garden been affected by the mild winter? Have you noticed a "slug explosion"? Share your stories and pictures of your garden. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |