Slugs & snails aaaargh!

I have a perenial problem with slugs and snails. I have a clematis which never flowers because the little bs eat the flower heads before they ripen and I have a varigated hosta which looks like a lace curtain.
Any advice welcome.

 

I found beer traps quite good. I am just about to add copper strips to my main planters to see how well that works.

 

A bit more info. I have what some might call a "cottage" garden, ie. I like it quite wild so there is not much space around the plants. I use slug pellets sparingly but these are not very effective as the slugs tend to wander in off other plants, especially the clematis which is next to an ivy. The only real option I can think of is to dig out the plants they like and replace with some they don't but then I like hostas and clematis

 

Hmm I wonder if a network of beer traps would do the trick? I think the clematis snails must hide in the ivy.
Thanks for the info.

 

It could work nicely for you. I would try food tins with just a small amount of the cheapest lager/beer. If they are ring pull style, you won't need to bother about covering since the lid is still attached. I have never sunk the traps in to the ground, as slugs can easily climb up my plants. Doesn't seem to work for snails though.