how I keep snails/slugs out of my raised beds - 100% effective!
bryonycraze
Posts: 2
Hello all
Must share this with you - I can't take the credit for it (original link here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Installing-and-testing-an-electric-slug-fence-on-a/) but it has worked wonders and my veg are untouched by slugs and snails this year. The OP is happy for me to share and really rather modest about this genius invention.
I installed the electric fence using thin stainless steel wire attached to a 9V battery. Each terminal has a loop of wire running off it, going around the perimeter of the box. The two loops are stapled down about 1/2 inch apart all the way around.
When the slug/snail crawls over both the wires it completes the circuit and they receive a small (largely non-lethal) shock and turn around.
The battery is stored in an airtight lunchbox to keep it away from the elements, and lasts for the whole season (I have yet to replace mine and its been in since May).
It takes a few hours to set up but can then just be left to do its thing for the whole summer! Saved me so much bother and not a slug/snail in sight.
Just remember to remove any leaves hanging over the raised bed to prevent a 'bridge' forming for the pests.
Here is a photo of mine.. may be too small to see? you can save it and enlarge it. Hopefully you get the idea. I can't recommend this method enough!
Last edited: 19 July 2016 16:39:53
Posts
Great idea!
Whenever I plant something which is likely to become 'slug and snail bait' I immediately reach for the slug rings.Easily ordered on line they are not a CHEAP option but if you choose them carefully and buy those which are open ended, the diameter can be varied and once they surround your plant it's pretty well slug proof.....and if cared for, the rings last for years.
This one can look after itself, it's about 6 inches long
In the sticks near Peterborough
Happy gardener 2 I hadn't heard of slug rings, just looked them up. Glad to hear they work for you! I've used the thin copper tape before but watched in dismay as the little buggers casually crawled straight over it.
ps nutcutlet mine are like that, might start charging them rent ?
good idea bryonycraze
In the sticks near Peterborough