EVG 20mm x 25m Copper Slug Tape | Adhesive Copper Slug Snail Repellent | Slug Deterrent Barrier Tape | Humane Pest Control

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With reference to the theory of the electric currant being created you suggested that two different metals need to be present and this is correct. If you’re using any of these five home remedies to deter slugs and snails, consider carefully whether they are making enough difference to be worth the investment.

In the UK we have pellets made from waste sheep fleece, i surruound young and slug prone plants with this and it forms a mat when wet which slugs and snails don’t like to cross, by the end of the season it breaks down into the soil but by then the plants have toughened up.The natural methods were thought ineffective because slugs and snails’ thick mucus enables them to glide over these apparently sharp barriers.

I therefore put it to you that as the copper tape weathers, in some areas it releases traces of copper sulphate which makes it even more potent, especially on more porous terracotta pots that can hold onto the copper sulphate. I could take the setup to the nth degree by using a solar charged battery but frankly its less hassle for me just to use a cheap own brand 9V battery.Most products on the market are a type of copper foil or copper tape so this might work better and in fact some people suggest that a wider strip is better than a narrow strip. Manufactured to ensure the tapes are flexible and strong with a wide range of the products having additional benefits such as being weather resistant and heat resistant.

Regardless of the use of copper strips or electricity, some types of slugs have been know to drop down from overhanging trees or even lower themselves down a slime trail. Have been trying out lots of ways of stopping slugs and snails and came to the same conclusion as yourself – copper tape on its own does not stop them. Having decided that the copper tapes being sold in garden centres and the likes of Robert Dyas was just inferior and not suitable for the purpose for which they were purchased BUT given that people swear by copper tape I decided to look for a serious solution.Perhaps I’m waiting to see how long my current 24 rings last given the need for repeated soaks in citric acid. The foliage seemed unaffected, but all else had failed so now its established fingers crossed for springtime. I have yet to try using any other type of mesh (steel, aluminum) but if I get bored that might be a fun experiment. Copper treatments are used for fish because the copper kills invert parasites and doesn’t harm fish in lower doses, but it can wipe out reef tanks or desirable fresh water inverts, like snails. I’m trying an experiment this year with landscaping fabric, spray glue and copper powder (atomised copper).

I imagine barrier efficacy might depend on the width of the barrier and skinnier tapes might be less effective barriers than 5″ of mesh. I have just spent a wonderfully productive – if slightly yucky – hour around the garden after overnight rain, picking about 100 – yes 100! I stopped slugs getting to my potted Hosta’s by smearing a layer of Vaseline round the top edge of the pots, this works extremely well, just got to make sure the leaves don’t touch the ground or other plants ! Sugar, dried yeast, flour mixed to a thin slurry in cold water – work quite well but better in drier weather.

The second claim is that the slime from slugs connects with the metallic copper and the slug gets a small electrical shock from it. Slugs will not go out of their way to cross copper in tape form, but it is not a fool proof solution. My alliums are currently being ravaged and I’m out in the garden with a torch at 10pm on most evenings removing the hungry little beasts. To ensure we aregiving the best advice on this much-debated topic, we set up a project – Gastropod Barriers– to test whether the most commonly recommended home remedies really work.