Simple test. Fit copper tape round terracotta pot. Place 6 slug pellets on top of pot. Leave over night. According to the RHS, some slug species have clear benefits for gardeners, such as the leopard slug, which eats fungi and rotting material, helping recycle garden nutrients. I am not a chemist but guess it is due to some kind of ion exchange or electron donation. My guess is that something similar is taking place between the bright copper and the molluscs. Roofing metals are chosen for the job because their oxides adhere to their surface and are chemically inert under normal atmospheric condition. Knowledge of this fact is what lead me to triy the experiment in the first place.

I have had a respectable amount of success in slug deterrence using copper mesh as a slug barrier on the outside of wood planters. The mesh is about 5″ wide, which is wider than any of the copper tapes I have seen for sale, and it’s easier to work with compared to the super delicate copper tape I tried, the tape I tried, and it’s easy enough to reuse (although not adhesive on it’s own)

What’s next for slug and snail research?

My friend suggested garlic water sprayed on the plants and left to dry. Apparently they don’t like the taste. Reapply every 2 weeks. Recipe below. Does this work? While this research hasn’t shed any light on what you can do to obstruct slugs and snails, it has at least shown that these barriers can be unreliableand ineffective.

The attention to detail in this study, and the use of the leaf area meter, lets us be more precise and confident in the results." What’s next for slug and snail research? 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 yet to try using any other type of mesh (steel, aluminum) but if I get bored that might be a fun experiment. I also imagine in addition to whatever theoretical chemical/electrical property copper has that slugs don’t like, there is likely a mechanical component because irregular wire loops might be irritating to ooze across and there may be some variability in effect based on the size/configuration of the wire in the mesh. Other popular methods for getting rid of slugs include coffee grounds, and beer. For more information on these methods have a look at: Copper DOES work as a slug and snail barrier if the percentage of copper alloy is high enough and the width is in excess of 4 cms. Don’t waste money on any of the other ‘gardening’ products tested above and be cautious of using anything else that comes in a similar sized box ( or from a matching production line…). The most humane way to get rid of slugs? Hayley said: “Collect the slugs by hand - the best time to catch them is at night, and either release them at a local wood or pop them in your freezer before binning themGreat to see… to add to the video list, I liked this one on the topic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFn9TT_rlXU

After tending to the crop for weeks Hayley harvested the lettuces and removed the leaves one by one. She then rated the damage visually and useda leaf area meter for the first time,to record the damage in every square cm of the leaves. Use this attractive, dual purpose Butterfly House and Feeder to offer butterflies food in the summer and shelter in the winter.…The green patina developed on copper metal over time is a copper carbonate salt and could be toxic. Jones added: “Slug pellets do have their problems but they have been tested for safety and when used to their manufacturers’ instructions the risks are quite minimal. It becomes dangerous for pets and other wildlife when they are overapplied.” SPECIAL OFFER - These His and Hers Solitary Bee Houses are wall mountable wooden bee houses that have been designed…

So pleased, daren’t put anything outside, especially with all the rain we’ve had without the tape. We tried it last year for the first time and it really did work. Thanks again. Uniform Application of Copper Sulfate as a Potential Treatment for Controlling Snail Populations in Channel Catfish Production Ponds Jeff Gillman, one of the Garden Professors, commented “When I’ve tested copper the slugs seemed to have a slight preference for not crossing it, but would if that was what they need to do to get where they were going. I’d call it a mild repellant” . I think this is a good summary. Slugs will not go out of their way to cross copper in tape form, but it is not a fool proof solution.Copper DOES work as a slug and snail barrier if the percentage of copper alloy is high enough and the width is in excess of 4 cms.” It’s that time of year when slugs and snails creep out of the woodwork ( quite literally) and look for sources of food after their winter hibernation. 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. Last year I conducted some tests to disprove the value of egg shells, pistachio nut shells, hair and chilli powder in preventing slugs and snails from eating our plants, all were easily crossed by snails. Young chopped brambles were a surprise snail barrier success though.