Hi!
I just read this on an organic gardening page:
'One of the most effective barriers, however, seems to be copper tape, as it works wet or dry. When slugs and snails make contact with the copper, there is a toxic reaction, similar to an electric shock, which repels them. The minimum width for the copper barriers needs to be at least two inches; slug barriers sold in nurseries are often smaller and should be doubled or tripled when installed.'
Has anyone tried this?
Pam
Effective barrier for slugs...ugh....
I'm afraid I would have to buy enough copper to cover my whole garden! There are too many plants in my garden that attract slugs.
Martha
Yeah, I think this would probably be good for a one pot kind of plant.
I think this part of the article might be more useful for other situations. I may try this, since I already have some ginger, foxglove,fennel and chives.
'Certain plants will also repel slugs. Ginger, garlic, mint, chives, red lettuce, red cabbage, sage, sunflower, fennel, foxglove, mint, chicory & endive seem to be less prone to slug attack. Plant them around the perimeter of your garden to keep them from infiltrating.'
Here is a site with a number of ways to slay a snail:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4031_rid-snails-slugs.html
Martha
Good idea, Pam, to put plants repugnant to snails around your flower beds.
Martha
Good article, Martha. I guess it is just an age old problem. I sure don't want to touch the creepy things, though.
I also heard various birds eat them. Maybe more feeders around the yard to invite more birds, too.
Just to give credit where credit is due, this is the article I've been reading:
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/01/010709n.cfm
Love that article, Pam. Look at all the predators slugs have: birds, frogs, beetles! I shouldn't have any slugs at all! LOL!
Martha
Just put a pan of beer out, works every time. They drink themselves to death. And you don't have to touch them, you could just use plastic plates and throw the whole thing away when you're done.
Melanie