Britain's gardens could be invaded by Spanish 'superslugs' this summer which are immune to pesticide products

Britain’s gardens could be set for a foreign invasion this summer - by a Spanish ‘superslug’ immune to pesticide products.

The Spanish slug (‘Arion vulgarism’), is a 15cm voracious invader only discovered on British shores last year.

And with the Met Office warning of a slightly warmer than average winter, there could be a slug population explosion in the next few weeks.

The Spanish slug has no predators and an extra layer of protective slime, making them immune to most products and allowing it to outcompete all UK slugs.

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The foreign garden invader also reproduces at twice the rate of native UK slugs, and can lay up to 400 eggs.

Forecasters say average temperatures were slightly above what could be expected for both January and February.

Sarah Fuller, Marketing Director at Wyevale Garden Centres, said: ‘Slugs and Snails are a real problem for gardeners, making this hobby and pastime a true 24 hour activity. Last year gardeners removed up to 4000 slugs a month.

‘It’s likely more slugs have survived this winter so gardeners will be fighting larger numbers and need to use really effective methods.

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‘Whilst snails will continue to be a problem, we are not expecting the snail population to worsen this summer.

'A quick tip for gardeners looking to remove snails, don’t think that throwing them over your neighbours’ wall will solve the problem as they will more often than not find their way back!’

Experts say gardeners should also encourage natural predators such as birds and hedgehogs into their garden – helping to keep their slug infestation down as well as helping to protect native British wildlife.