A landmark research project, designed to help gardeners more effectively combat the threat from slugs and snails, has been launched by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

The year-long research project, the first of its kind to be conducted under garden conditions, is being run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and BASF, the only UK manufacturer of nematodes (which biologically control slugs and snails), will help scientists address gaps in their understanding of how best to tackle these common garden pests.

The damage wrought by slugs and snails is an ongoing frustration for gardeners. In seven of the past 10 years slugs and snails headed the RHS’ annual list of the top garden pests of the year, which is based on enquiries to the charity’s Gardening Advice Service.

The project, which will test six different control strategies, including those most favoured by gardeners, will help to identify which combination of treatments can provide the best results, depending on the environment and individual characteristics of gardens.

The creation of tailor-made strategies combining multiple control methods, also known as Integrated Pest Management, will give gardeners the knowledge and tools to make a real difference in their battle against slugs and snails.

The six different control strategies being tested in this experiment are:

1. Control (no treatment) – this is important to compare with the other strategies

2. Cultural management (mulch) – a loose covering of material on the soil around the plants

3. Cultural + synthetic chemical (metaldehyde) – the most commonly used type of slug pellets

4. Cultural + organic chemical (ferric phosphate) – a slug pellet that is certified as organic

5. Cultural + nematode biological control applied reactively (once damage is seen)

6. Cultural + biological control applied preventatively (applied regularly from the early spring)

RHS scientist Dr Hayley Jones, who is leading the research said: “The damage slugs and snails do to plants has, over the years, led to the development of a wide array of control methods, but these animals are still a persistent problem, which means the current treatments are not working as well as hoped.

“By conducting scientifically robust research into which combination of treatments are the most effective, gardeners will for the first time have access to guidance on which method best suits their unique circumstances. What this could mean is that in years to come slugs and snails will drop down the table of gardeners’ most troublesome pests.”

”Mike Finney, BASF’s Key Country Sales Manager Biologicals Europe, the Middle East and Africa said: “British gardeners are increasingly using beneficial nematodes as one the most effective ways control slugs and other pests. We were eager to join forces with the RHS on this project as we want to further understand how best to deal with these pests in the most effective, efficient and sustainable way.”