Is this long warm, damp autumn bad news for next year?

[MikA]

Having seen very few large slugs and even fewer snails all summer after the dry spring, I am now getting a mass of baby slugs and snails which are growing apace in this warm, damp weather we are having.
If this weather continues for much longer will will be likely to have a very bad spring/summer for pests and diseases next year?

[Parsons Jack]

Hi MikA,

It depends on how cold the winter becomes I would think. If we get a really cold spell like last year then it will kill off loads of the pests, but if it stays mild, then they have a head start.
Slugs and snails are always around, but only really appear when it is damp and mild.
Try and make sure that there aren't too many hiding places for them

[Monika]

We have had lots of slugs about lately and also still huge snails. Unfortunately, as much as we clear things away in the garden and allotment, we are surrounded by limestone dry stone walls which are wonderful hidey-holes for all mollusks. Hopefully, we'll get another cold winter, that should get rid of a few pests of all descriptions.

[solway cropper]

Try to encourage frogs if you find slugs are a problem. We have a healthy frog population and very little trouble from slimy things.

As for the weather, even after two of the coldest winters on record it didn't seem to make much difference to the garden pests.

[Marigold]

Thanks for this; seeing so many tiny slugs as well as the huge ones. Hate using chemicals, but in this situation? As others have said, the ice made no difference to them last year.