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'Sleepless slugs' on rise, say experts | 'Sleepless slugs' on rise, say experts |
(about 1 hour 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). | 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. | Because of the warm winter, slugs have not gone into hibernation and have been eating and and breeding through the winter months. |
Twenty things you didn't know about slugs | |
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." |
Guy Barter, a horticulturist at the Royal Horticultural Society, said the slug population could be contained if it was a dry and hot summer because this prevented them from functioning and breeding normally. | |
But he said it was more likely this summer would at some point be wet - creating conditions that are ideal for slugs to breed and their numbers to quickly grow. | |
Mr Barter said gardeners should already be thinking about getting nematode worms - which kill slugs by feeding off them parasitically - and introducing them into their gardens when the weather is warmer. | |
Flowers slugs like to avoid | Flowers slugs like to avoid |
Source: Wyevale Garden Centres | Source: Wyevale Garden Centres |
While good for slugs, recent weather conditions have been 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 |