The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has given retailers till this summer to stop selling metaldehyde, as fears grow over its impact on wildlife and the environment. Metaldahyde is commonly used as a pesticide against slugs and snails and is usually in the form of blue pellets.

With slugs and snails featuring prominently in the Royal Horticultural Society’s top 10 list of the UK’s worst plant pests in recent years, there’s never been a better time to look for more natural forms of slug and snail control that effectively work without putting wildlife or the environment at risk.

ecofective® Slug Defence creates a physical barrier around edible and non-edible plants. Long-lasting, non-toxic granules deter slugs and snails from reaching plants throughout the growing season. Child, pet and bee-friendly, the product has been developed from naturally-derived ingredients that do not turn spongy when wet. Instead, granules dry out quickly and remain just as effective – unlike other clay repellents which degrade with rain and watering. Slug Defence can be used to create an even layer in pots and containers, or in borders as a 2cm high barrier around the stems of vulnerable plants. And at the end of the season, the granules can simply be dug into garden soil where they will assist with drainage.

The new RHS Slug Killer is an effective slug and snail control that’s approved for organic growing. It contains a naturally-derived ingredient called ferric phosphate, while pellets are rain-resistant and suitable for use around flowers, fruit and vegetables. Once positioned in moist areas, pellets soak-up water and swell, making them even more appealing for slugs to eat. After taking the bait, slugs stop feeding and move away from the area.