Slugs and snails can be a real nightmare to eliminate once they make an appearance for the first time.

These ravenous pests can munch through several times their own body weight in food in just one day, causing significant damage to plants.

Slugs and snails can seem to materialise out of thin air at any time of the year, but particularly when the weather is mild and damp.

One woman took to the Gardening UK Facebook page to share her struggle with keeping slugs and snails away from her dahlias.

Gail Morgan shared that she has already tried numerous slug and snail deterrents, but none have been successful until now.

The gardening fan claimed to have discovered a method that “actually works” - using garlic water.

Gail posted: “I have to share this win - I can confirm garlic water instantly repels and keeps the slugs and snails away!

“I have not been able to get my dahlias to grow at all this year, as soon as there was a shoot it was eaten.

“Having a dog I needed pet-friendly options. I tried wool pellets, copper tape, gel, and midnight hunts but I could not get rid of them. I made a garlic water spray once a day and it worked brilliantly. I'm just so pleased it works.”

Group members responded to the post with their thoughts on this hack and many were supportive of it. Michelle Kelly commented: “Brilliant, this brings me much hope that the garlic spray I made earlier today will save my dahlias. I’ve lost so many already.”

Alex Duxbury revealed: “I think I read once that was what the gardeners use at Buckingham Palace to look after their gardens and keep pests away.”

Deborah Davies shared her experience: “My Dad tried mixing garlic paste with water this year and watering his hostas with it and yes it worked.”

Karen Quinn expressed gratitude: “Garlic spray definitely helps on hostas but I hadn't thought to try it on the dahlias. It’s so cheap too. I picked a garlic bulb up at Sainsbury’s for 24p.”

Rose Gilbert disclosed her method: “I’ve been putting pine cones around my hydrangeas. Apparently will help keep blue as well as keep slugs off as it acts as mulch too. I think this has been working but I’m definitely going to try the garlic on the hostas. Someone else recommended this technique and it works for them too.”

Lucy Lu testified: “Yes I have tried it too. It’s effective but needs sort of daily application.”

Gail, when quizzed about concocting the garlic solution, advised: “I’ve just used a saucepan of water to half a bulb of garlic, and it has worked wonders! Just put it into a spray bottle and spray when I water my plants.”

Even pros at Sienna Hosta stand by the power of garlic water, employing it as a "slug deterrent" and recommending a weekly application.