With May on the horizon and warmer weather on the way, it’s important to add this job to your gardening list. BBC Gardener’s World has suggested gardeners should tackle a critical task - snail hunting.

While many pests emerge in the spring, snails and slugs are particularly active in the evening, making a post-sunset hunt an essential part of maintaining a healthy garden this month. One of the best times to address the snail problem is after 7PM, when the cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels encourage these creatures to leave their hiding spots and feed on tender young plants. Snails and slugs are notorious for devouring leaves, stems, and even flowers, leaving behind unsightly holes and damaging your plants.

Start by gently moving any debris or garden ornaments where snails are likely to hide during the day, such as under pots, rocks, or mulch.

Be thorough and look under leaves and between rows of plants, as these creatures are experts at finding places to retreat.

Once you’ve gathered the snails or slugs, you can relocate them far away from your garden and use a natural deterrent like crushed eggshells to prevent them from returning.

While evening hunts are highly effective, other snail control strategies include using organic slug pellets, creating physical barriers around plant beds, and maintaining a clean, tidy garden to reduce shelter.

Keeping your garden free from slugs and snails is an ongoing process, but regular evening checks in May will go a long way toward preserving the health of your plants and ensuring a flourishing summer garden.

But this isn’t the only tip suggested.

Another job you’ll need to do from May is to prune your spring shrubs, such as forsythia and chaenomeles. Make sure to do this after flowering which will keep them compact.

You should also sow grass seed or lay new turf by the end of May, to create a new lawn or repair damaged patches.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure to keep your garden looking its best for summer.