Gardeners are being warned to prepare ahead of September slug invasion

Gardeners across the UK are being encouraged to take action before September arrives and the weather changes.

The summer of 2024 has been somewhat challenging for gardeners, with extended periods of heavy rain making it difficult to cultivate beautiful blooms before being devoured by slugs and snails. They will munch their way through strawberries, raspberries, tomato plants, potato foliage and even flowers to satisfy their hunger.

Even more frustratingly, slug and snail populations have been significantly higher than usual this summer, spurred on by the gloomy and wet weather, but it's set to get even worse in September. Lucky for us garden lovers, fellow enthusiasts have been sharing one top trick to keep unwanted visitors at bay.

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Wet weather and longer nights are the optimum conditions for slugs and snails to spread throughout your garden. These are also the perfect environment for them to lay their eggs for the following year, reports the Express.

Nip snail rampages in the bud by using inexpensive coffee grounds. Not only does a delicious brew help to kick start the day, caffeine is toxic to slugs and snails and some gardening experts swear by it as a method of pest control.

Word of warning, though, coffee is a very painful method for slugs to die, worse than salt, so don't apply coffee grounds directly to any slugs or snails (stamping on them would be much quicker and less cruel).

Instead just sprinkle the coffee grounds onto soil and around raised beds or pots during dry, clear weather, and then when it does rain, the slugs won't cross the coffee, thereby protecting your precious flowers and crops.

In studies, coffee