In his April 2024 blog post, Monty Don, a prominent gardening expert, addressed the common issue of slugs and snails in gardens. He highlighted that while these pests are notorious for damaging seedlings, they also play a role in recycling organic matter. Don advised against using toxic slug pellets, which can harm wildlife, and suggested creating a compact, slug-free area for nurturing delicate plants. He emphasized the importance of feeding the soil rather than the plants to avoid attracting slugs with soft growth. To combat these pests naturally, Don encourages gardeners to welcome a variety of predators, such as thrushes, frogs, and hedgehogs, into their gardens. This approach requires providing adequate cover and accepting some level of collateral damage to maintain ecological balance.