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Anyone ever tried electrifying copper tape to deter them pesky slugs ?

Winston_The_Gravity_ManWinston_The_Gravity_Man Posts: 263
in Problem solving
Some people say that copper tape works for them.  Some people say it's neither use nor ornament. 

I was wondering if any enterprising son ... or daughter  ... of the soil out there in GWland has ever tried applying a couple of bands of copper tape close together (less than a slug's length apart) around their pots then connecting one band to the positive terminal of a 9 Volt battery, the negative terminal to the other band, to see if the slimy critters are repelled when they attempt to cross the resulting electrified barrier ?
When there's always biscuits in the tin, where's the fun in biscuits ?
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  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    I've found a combination of copper tape and garlic spray to be pretty effective.  It doesn't stop all damage but certainly reduced it on my hostas.  When I saw the topic title I had visions of copper tape connected to the mains.  That might work.
  • Winston_The_Gravity_ManWinston_The_Gravity_Man Posts: 263
    Mmyeahhnooooo @KT53 !  That would be a little bit excessive.  I was wondering if anyone had tried with a bit safer (for non-slithery slimy animals) electricity supply, hence the 9V battery idea.
    When there's always biscuits in the tin, where's the fun in biscuits ?
  • AstroAstro Posts: 433
    Yeah I tried it after seeing various tutorials on the idea around the internet using  wire and tape. 

    It did work though I found sometimes a slug did seem to stay across both wires/strips shorting it out. With the copper tape there was also the factor of it oxidizing and being less affective. Added if the planter is near a wall or fence they will go that way if any of the plant splays out.

    It's definitely got merit as an idea , likely there are people who ironed out any of the issues I was seeing. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd rather just have plants that they're less attracted to. 
    What a lot of faff!  :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    I use gravity.  My weight on the snail's head via a wellie boot.  Slugs are not so satisfying.  I keep salt for them.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
    Something I might have to consider as they've taken a liking to the lettuce 😔


  • Dobbin26Dobbin26 Posts: 60
    I have two methods to dispatch slugs and snails. The first is usually the gravity approach as per bèdè size 10 is very satisfying. Method 2 is to launch them skywards either onto the shed or garage roof for the birds or north into the adjoining wood for nature to take it's course. I'm getting pretty good at slug launching but some of the snails we get are just about the size of a table tennis ball and go a fair distance. Maybe it should become a national sport  :)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That's why I don't plant mine in the ground @Sheps ;)

    The problem is - it doesn't matter what you put around a bed - or even a pot. If the slugs are already in there, it's pointless. You're just keeping them even happier  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
    I think I'm done for @Fairygirl you were so right about the slugs, I went out last night and picked up 3 of the little buggers.

    I can feel one of those raised beds on legs arriving in the garden pretty soon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You could salvage some now @Sheps and do the 'pots raised up in a tray of water' thing. I'm definitely going to do that again [although it's not very pretty] as well as experimenting with a few other things. I've got a couple of wall baskets which might work if I can find a suitable spot to put them. 
    Mine are growing slowly. Bit chilly for them recently though - only got to 7 degrees here yesterday, so they're still indoors most of the time. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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