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  • slug barrier

    I intend replacing the wood for my raised bed and will be running copper tape round the lowest board, would it be it be worth while securing two strands of copper wire to the edge touching the ground
    it may be a struggle to reach the top, but once your over the hill your problems start.

    Member of the Nutters Club but I think I am just there to make up the numbers

  • #2
    If you can get it the wire will be cheaper than the tape and should render the tape unnecessary . For extra zing you can wire to an old 9v battery, and attach to the two wires .the slug completes the circuit and as long as the wires are close but not touching the battery will last about a year.thi will only affect slugs ,snails and soft damp animals like worms but leaves insects and Arachnids unharmed .


    Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum
    don't be afraid to innovate and try new things
    remember.........only the dead fish go with the flow

    Another certified member of the Nutters club

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    • #3
      Originally posted by snakeshack View Post
      If you can get it the wire will be cheaper than the tape and should render the tape unnecessary .
      Thanks Snakeshack just to let you know that I picked up two packs of tape 4m. long from Aldies for a fiver and to me that was good value as a local garden center was looking for £6 odds one 4m pack
      Last edited by veggiechicken; 18-09-2014, 08:51 PM. Reason: Fixing quote ;)
      it may be a struggle to reach the top, but once your over the hill your problems start.

      Member of the Nutters Club but I think I am just there to make up the numbers

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      • #4
        I work as a telephone engineer and just strip wire out of scrap cable and staple it onto the raised beds . Only problem is knowing whether there are slugs there at the time ( fussing there always are)


        Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum
        don't be afraid to innovate and try new things
        remember.........only the dead fish go with the flow

        Another certified member of the Nutters club

        Comment


        • #5
          I would be interested to know how effective you find using copper? I have tried many barrier methods to control the dreaded slug munch but never copper.

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          • #6
            I used a lot of copper tape and copper slug rings this year, and was really impressed. I put the rings around my brassica seedlings, and didn't get any slug damage at all. I stuck copper tape around my salad pots, and again no slug or snail damage.

            The bands are quite expensive, I got mine from here Traps and Barriers However as they're reusable then I don't really mind the cost

            The tape isn't very pretty around pots but I guess if it works, then job done
            Attached Files

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            • #7
              when the copper starts to tarnish, do you have to polish it?

              I read somewhere that if the copper is tarnished, it is not very effective

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              • #8
                Yes, I think you're right Dim - I imagine tarnish reduces how conductive the copper is.

                I don't think the tape will stay stuck onto pots more than a couple of years, so will need replacing anyhow. For the more expensive copper bands, I think the tarnish can probably be scrubbed off whenever needed, with a brillo pad or some vinegar. I've only used the bands for one season so far, and they're still pretty shiny.

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                • #9
                  If it worked on arachnids then I'd put copper wire around my bed!
                  Ali

                  My blog: feral007.com/countrylife/

                  Some days it's hardly worth chewing through the restraints!

                  One bit of old folklore wisdom says to plant tomatoes when the soil is warm enough to sit on with bare buttocks. In surburban areas, use the back of your wrist. Jackie French

                  Member of the Eastern Branch of the Darn Under Nutter's Club

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