Slugs & Snail problems?????!!?!

[mbronco27_03]

I just installed 4 new raised beds, 3mx3m

Im about to start planting, but I want to try and get around having slugs and snails come and feast on my crops, and i read that putting copper tape around the raised bed will deter them as it gives them mini electric shocks, because of something in the metal, akin to biting on foil when you have fillings, does anyone know the reasons why it shocks them, and do they get over it?

Is it best to put it across the top of the bed or around the side?

And, if anyone knows, where is the cheapest place to buy it, and how long will it last?

I have about 4 beds 3m x 3m so 48metres in total!!

[zazen999]

What about the keel slugs that live in the soil and move under the copper?

[FionaH]

What about the keel slugs that live in the soil and move under the copper?

Oh you cheerful little bunny Zazen!

You're right though slug barriers only keep the outside ones outside. E bay would be your best bet for copper tape I would guess, it's darn expensive from garden centres.

What DO you do about the keel slugs?

[jimbojetset]

get mine from eBay, mines been going strong for a year
polished it with a bit of salt and vinegar once to remove the verdigris though
it's all i've used and it's pretty much eliminated my slug and snail problem
just had to pick out a few of the little blighters that have managed to burrow in

[mbronco27_03]

Ohhhhhhh, didn't realise that there was sub-terreanian S & S, well I'm happy if I can eliminate the above and outside S & S. Will have to rethink the others, but not much else I could do apart from dig down a metre, and cover the ground with a weed matt, then fill back in, but frankly, im not that bothered, lol

[Demeter]

Nemaslug is supposed to do for the underground slugs as the little nematodes swim through the soil and parasitise and slugs they find.
I am using it this year for the first time.

PS there aren't any underground snails, only slugs. Snails would have a job tunnelling through the soil with a blinking great house on their backs!

[Sweepster]

do they get over it?

They usually require a six week course of counselling. Occasionally a thrill-seeking slug or snail can become addicted to the 'buzz' of making contact with the copper, and will spend an evening slithering back and forth, desperate for its next 'hit'. In this case it's advisable to provide some sort of chill-out area near to the veg bed for its recovery. Some ambient music and a lettuce leaf will do the trick.

[sez]

*snort* thanks Demeter and Sweepster for both making me laugh!

[Eco-Chic]

I've picked up a sack of old copper piping from Freecycle and will be nailing it to the top of the raised beds I shall be building soonish. I saw Monty do this on one of his progs so I thought it would be worth giving it a go + Nemaslug for the keels.

polished it with a bit of salt and vinegar once to remove the verdigris

Nice tip, thank you.

[ecoprincess]

Ebay is the cheapest for copper tape, I'm going to get some for my raised beds

[FionaH]

They usually require a six week course of counselling. Occasionally a thrill-seeking slug or snail can become addicted to the 'buzz' of making contact with the copper, and will spend an evening slithering back and forth, desperate for its next 'hit'. In this case it's advisable to provide some sort of chill-out area near to the veg bed for its recovery. Some ambient music and a lettuce leaf will do the trick.

ROFL just sprayed pc screen with coffee