Slugs are a common nuisance in UK gardens, but  if you're struggling to keep your prized plants safe from the garden pest you may want to consider trying one thing. Slugs and snails are most active in spring and summer when they target seedlings, flowers, fruits and vegetables.

These pests can turn into a real headache, especially under cool, wet conditions. Their insatiable appetites become evident when, in large numbers, they are able to wipe out an entire bed of seedlings overnight or tear up mature plants. What’s more, slugs possess an alarming reproductive rate, potentially giving rise to three generations each year. 

Slugs thrive in dark, damp, and cool conditions, particularly during spring and early autumn when temperatures are mild and moist. Ideal slug habitats are shady spots including under shrubs, near compost bins, fences, raised bed edges and walls. 

If these common pests are getting under your skin then you should avoid watering your garden after 5pm.

A gardening expert at Greenside Up says: “Slugs prefer dark, damp conditions so if they are a problem in your garden or polytunnel, avoid watering in the evenings.”

Most slugs will appear at night, especially when it's cool and damp, they are active between 5C and 20C, with the 17C being the optimum temperature.

Gardening experts from Greenside Up also advise gardeners to try burying vacant beer containers in your garden to divert the slugs from your plants. 

Sacrificing a drop of your brew can be fruitful for the health of your garden, the experts explained. 

They said: "Bury shallow plastic containers around your garden (take away containers are the ideal size) and sacrifice a drop of your favourite brew. 

"If you can’t bear to give up your drink, pubs may give you something from the slop bucket if you ask nicely."

Not only this, but gardeners can also pour some beer into a spray bottle to later spray the weeds with.