We've all done it: moved the kids' sand pit or a long undisturbed garden planter to reveal something unpalatable. Perhaps a seething mass of dark brown ants and their eggs, with a trail leading to the house or some other icky wriggling things. What else could be lurking in your garden? Find out how to banish your unwanted garden guests

Ants

Ants are probably the most common garden pest although they can also inhabit your home. The garden ant is aptly named and found all over the UK. They nest outdoors, typically under things on the sunny side of the garden, and they have a sweet tooth. Once discovered they can be eradicated with insecticides and baiting stations. Putting barriers to access points to the house will keep them from proliferating and laying a trail to food. For humane, chemical-free ant control, pest repellers provide the best form of prevention. There a number of eco-friendly products out there, and following the general pest control principle that the more methods you employ the more success you will have, suppliers offer 'kits' containing a variety of products. Find out more at www.pestcontrolshop.co.uk.

Slugs and snails

Many gardens are plagued by thriving slug and snail communities. Gardens provide shelter and a plentiful supply of food - much to the frustration of keen gardeners. So how do you make your garden a no-go zone for those pesky snails? Everyone knows about slug pellets but if you have a pet or are particular about chemicals in your garden then which pellets do you use or are there alternatives?

Most pellet solutions contain metaldehyde, which unfortunately is known to be common in poisoning incidents, particularly with pets. Aluminium sulphate-based pellets are the least toxic so if pellets are your chosen way forward then seek out this type. As slugs and snails like damp and shady places with succulent foliage, a reasonable way to minimise your problem is to minimise such areas, particularly at ground level and near vulnerable plants. In addition they prefer acidic soil so liming your soil, which makes it more basic, will also work. Slugs can be deterred by a barrier of wood ash or pure coal soot as they don't like sulphur. A moat of eggshells around the places they like will keep them away, as it hurts their little feet. And at the end of the day, routinely handpicking snails or trapping them in an upturned flower pot is the most humane and eco friendly way of controlling them.

Moles

Imagine waking up in the morning to find your perfectly manicured lawn littered with perfect little mounds of earth. You have been the victim of the mole. They live in tunnels beneath your lawn only to go vertical in search of food. There are various methods of controlling moles and, interestingly, many claim to be passed down the generations. Windmills and bottles stuck in the lawn, moth balls and smelly cleaning products all claim to be effective. However mole trapping is the only sure fire method and there is an art to it! Check out this video that shows the process.

ivillage uk

Getting rid of garden pests

Ants

Slugs and snails

Moles