Back on the original question Garden Which have just published a review of slug/ snail control they found copper of limited value for the reasons we have discussed, it's too easily bridged & once they are in they are in Heaven! @kathmay if the pellets are based on ferrous sulphate then they will be ok.
I've just planted delphiniums and lots of dahlias. I've arranged for a local cafe to keep their spent coffee grounds for me, so I'll see how that works.
Agree with Allotment Boy, my problem is as much snails as slugs so it's not worth my spending money on nematodes. I have used copper tape on my hostas in pots for the last three years and as long as I do as Pansyface says they have been absolutely brilliant. The first time I tried it I almost cried when I saw the lovely leaves unfurling without being in tatters. I have found it does need renewing every year and with three big pots that's a fiver every other year. Well worth it. For larger raised beds I would think it would be a bit pricey for most though. My OH is an espresso machine engineer so I have a limitless supply of coffee grounds and have recently trialled them on tasty plants in borders. A thick ring around them did seem effective, but needs renewing after rain. I had a ring about two inches thick and half an inch deep right around each plant and I did have a very few slug pellets inside each ring in case there were slugs under ground already inside the coffee palisade!
Yes I agree but I think I have more slugs than snails so it works for me. What about buying a small packet and just treating any raised beds or pots with vulnerable plants? Worth a try?
One thing worth bearing in mind if using copper tape is that is has extremely sharp edges. I shredded a couple of finger tips rubbing the tape to make sure it was sticking well!
I was checking my hosta pots over the weekend and noticed a few holes, despite tape around the pots. It would seem that, as was suggested by Dove and others, the effectiveness of the tape does reduce over time. There was one large snail actually stuck to the tape. Fortunately I have more tape on order and it certainly worked effectively for one season. I think it's a worthwhile investment to keep the hostas looking good.
I took over a very old garden it was covered in old ivy and infested with slugs and snails, it was like a mini jurassic park, gave me the shudders. I put out bird seed for them every evening then early every morning while they were still guzzling the seed gathered them up in a bucket. Must admit this took weeks and I gathered what seemed like thousands of the horrible things but perseverance paid off and although i am not 100% slug and snail free I hardly see them now and when I do see one or evidence of one I remove it fast
Posts
@kathmay if the pellets are based on ferrous sulphate then they will be ok.
Fortunately I have more tape on order and it certainly worked effectively for one season. I think it's a worthwhile investment to keep the hostas looking good.