Gardeners who have slug pellets in their cupboards, sheds or greenhouses have been warned to check them as their use could now be completely illegal.

The little blue tablets (not that genus) have long been used by gardeners as a means of pest control in the ongoing war waged each year against slugs and snails.

This wet and generally mild summer has been particularly effective in causing slug and snail numbers to explode, as gardeners across the country have reported entire beds of plants being lost to the slimy chewers.

But this fall, their populations are expected to explode again, as colder, wetter weather becomes the norm.

And now gardeners are being warned they could be breaking the law if they keep certain slug pellets in their shed following a law change in 2022.

Slug pellets containing a chemical called metaldehyde have been banned in the UK in 2022.

Not only is it illegal to use them, it is even illegal to STORE the banned slug pellets, as well as supply or sell them.

Anyone with slug pellets is urged to check the bottle and safely dispose of the product if it contains metaldehyde, as it was sold before 2022.

In addition to this, gardeners are asked to report to their local authority any sellers still selling metaheldyde slug pellets.

Pellets have been banned because they are toxic to birds and hedgehogs, not just slugs.

Slug predators eat the slugs and snails and indirectly ingest the poison themselves, which can lead to the accidental deaths of important and increasingly endangered species of hedgehogs and birds.

As Hedgehog Street explains: “Metaldehyde is a molluscicide, meaning it is used to eradicate slugs and snails, usually from gardens and farmland. However, the substance can also harm birds and mammals through ingestion or direct consumption of contaminated shellfish.

“Although slugs do not make up a large part of a hedgehog’s natural diet, the effects of this product have long been a concern. We therefore welcome this change and continue to encourage organic gardening.