Start with a garden cleanup to reduce snails and slugs breeding sites. Wear thick gloves and gumboots to remove any garden rubbish.

Handpicking, will over time, greatly reduce the number of snails; it is less effective for slugs. The best time is 2 hours after sunset by torchlight.

Barriers can be used to protect vulnerable plants and young seedlings. Suitable materials include crushed eggshells, lime, wood ash, wood shavings and sawdust. The best barrier of all is adhesive copper tape, as it works wet or dry.

Homemade traps such as inverted grapefruit halves, pots or wooden boards can be placed close to where the slugs and snails are harbouring. Check early each morning or they will become habitat instead!