The Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), is spearheading a campaign to change the perception of slugs and snails by giving them an "image makeover."
The initiative, named "Making Friends with Molluscs," aims to equip people with factual information about these often-maligned creatures and highlight their positive contributions to ecosystems. They are portrayed as "nature's clean-up crew" and play a vital role in recycling nutrients and minerals back into the soil by feeding on decaying plants, fungi, and dung.
The majority of molluscs, out of around 150 species in the UK, are beneficial to the ecosystem, supporting various wildlife such as frogs, thrushes, and ground beetles. Additionally, they serve as a food source for hedgehogs.
To encourage a more harmonious relationship with slugs and snails, the campaign provides practical tips for gardeners, such as creating habitats that deter them from vegetable beds, selecting plants less appealing to them, and implementing barriers like copper tape and wool pellets to protect vulnerable plants.
Heidi Mansell from the trust emphasized the valuable contribution of molluscs to the ecosystem, acknowledging that they are often seen as garden pests. However, she highlighted their role in soil enrichment and emphasized the importance of embracing these creatures rather than resorting to harmful pesticides, which can harm other wildlife.