Cu and snails

[djackso]

Anybody have any thoughts or experience on the use of copper as a slug or snail deterrent?

[Jez]

Hi djackso,

I have never used copper though I hear that it's very effective. I believe it zaps the slugs giving them a shock? If so it should be very effective on plant pots and containers.

I have used grapefruit in the passed, sliced in half laid in my borders and that has been quite effective!

[Paul mabbott]

It works but it's an expensive and energy-consuming method so perhaps use the odd bit of recycled copper around a pot but using masses of newly refined copper in the garden must be a no-no!

[Jez]

Get out your 2p's

[m1.carson]

Hi,

To date there isn't much we haven't tried, Cu, coffee grounds, fine gravel etc. etc, etc.

Slug pubs kill the slugs, beer not lager, but I'm not convinced they don't attract extra slugs as well, same as chrysanthemums, they devour all the flowers and then start on the vegetables, enough said, there's an enormous great post on slugs, but no real answers.

Max.

[stripee]

Copper tape works, but as Paul M says it's expensive. If you have a pot plant being eaten by slugs/snails and put it around the pot, or the stems if a shrub, or a newly planted out plant it can give the plant a chance to harden off and become less attractive to the slimy army. I find new plants are sometimes eaten to death. I have just planted a clematis montana, but have had to twine copper tape around it. It works better than anything else when used in this limited way but for a large area, probably wouldn't be practical.

[djackso]

Thanks everyone.

Copper is expensive - £6 for 4 m of tape, but I guess this will last.

And it should be better for wildlife - which is the reason I am interested in it.

[m1.carson]

Hi,

Darn-darn-darn, last year on this forum about slugs I sourced some very cheap copper tape, as it wasn't used for gardening the price was a lot lot lower, but, brain failure , can't remember where from, will post if I can recall it.

Max.

[djackso]

Ah - always the way! Garden centres can be complete rip-offs, can't they!

[m1.carson]

Got it,

http:/www.expotools.com
the order code is :220-80

It's a hobby company,you get 33mtrs of 5mm self adhesive for £9-00 plus postage, might be thinner, but much cheaper.

Max.
P.S. the slug debate is under, "help-a slug pellet fell into my garden pond" not sure but I seem to remember one post showing flowers completely demolished by slugs even with Cu round the pot; thought I'd add that just to cheer you up.

[nightshade]

I repaired a huge garden pot with copper wire to hold it together and
(provided there is no enamel/varnish) it has worked very well, albeit an accidental discovery, seedlings that previously were cropped overnight
now thrive unharmed by rasping teeth

[djackso]

Thanks to all for the info. Thanks m1.carson for finding those ordering details. I'm giving the garden centre one a try because I already bought it. May need more if it works, so I'll give that one a go.

They where throwing a cylindrical copper container away at work, so I nabbed it - cut it into 4 rings and am testing its deterrency. So far, so good. The tape is flimsy in comparison. But may work just as well.