1000 slugs per square metre in Gloucestershire

It is reported that Gloucestershire's gardens have been invaded by record numbers of slugs because the wet weather has doubled their population. The combination of a mild, frost-free winter and a damp, warm summer has created ideal conditions for them and the county along with Herefordshire and Worcestershire is one of the worst affected places.

Photos: Potatoes from my garden

Experts have found up to 1,000 slugs per square metre and an average of 61. Dr Richard Meredith who has been monitoring slug numbers for years said: "These figures are unprecedented. We have never seen such high numbers before. Our counts are up by well over 50 per cent a year and, in some cases, we've detected twice as many."

My lack of success with a whole range of fruit and veg crops this year cannot be blamed only on the slugs - my net covering fruit blew off one weekend I was away and I lost all black and redcurrants to the birds, the wet destroyed tomatos and I had the flu which meant neglect of many plants over a crucial period. However the slugs and snails can take considerable blame - only one bean plant remains - although going around an allotment yesterday I was 'pleased' to see many others with canes but no beans at all! I even wanted to relent at one point and start using nasty pellets - I haven't but was sorely tempted.