Article submitted by Martin

Two pests tackled in this article ...one the four legged variety, the other of a slithery, slimy nature.

Love 'em or loathe 'em, cats can be a bit of a pest on gardens and veg patches whether they're lying over the crops or spraying and soiling on them.

A simple humane and non painful remedy which seems to work - though don't ask me why, is a clear plastic family size empty pop bottle, label removed, half filled with water and lain horizontally amongst plants.

The cat seems to become confused and rather wary either by seeing its own moving refracted reflection or the water itself and seems to steer well clear.  No guarantees but try it and see...hasn't failed me yet !!!

Slugs and snails are natural boozers. A saucer of bitter or stout beer left embedded in the soil will culminate in a happy quick death as they slide into the free pub lapping up all that lovely yeasty moisture, while the alcohol overdose will quickly put paid to any further mischief as their watery bodies absorb it  and loll over forevermore. From this point easily buried into the soil.

The age old remedy of salting is not recommended as large quantities can negatively affect the soil. Likewise slug pellets are highly poisonous and may fatally affect curious birds, cats, dogs and hedgehogs.