Copper grease, slugs & snails

[Graham K]

I had a thought,

Has anyone ever used copper grease (the stuff you use on car brakes when you put them together after servicing) to deter slugs and snails? It comes in a spray tin from the people who make WD40, sounds like half an idea; Copper (slugs don't like it) Grease (doesn't wash away when it rains) spray where you need it and generally a sticky mess!

Graham.

[Two_Sheds]

I'd rather use something that breaks down harmlessly in the soil, like a bag of coffee grounds (used round hostas & delphiniums: slugs don't eat much else in my garden)

"When copper ends up in soil it strongly attaches to organic matter and minerals. ...Copper does not break down in the environment and because of that it can accumulate in plants and animals when it is found in soils.

On copper-rich soils only a limited number of plants has a chance of survival. That is why there is not much plant diversity near copper-disposing factories. Due to the effects upon plants copper is a serious threat to the productions of farmlands.

Copper can interrupt the activity in soils, as it negatively influences the activity of microrganisms and earthworms."

Read more: Copper (Cu) - Chemical properties, Health and Environmental effects

[falkon]

grease like products are not good for the soil.. It will contaminate your soil, garden or allotment in the long run..probably PH of the soil will change too

[Graham K]

I guess that counts as a dumb idea then, I must stop all that thinking stuff, bad for my health.

Graham.

[OllieMartin]

I guess that counts as a dumb idea then, I must stop all that thinking stuff, bad for my health.

Graham.

It's people who are scared of being wrong who never come up with any decent ideas. I was all for it until I read the responses.

I actually just logged in because one of my colleagues said that she'd heard you can used cucumber to deter slugs, but didn't know exactly how. Anyone any ideas?

[Scunny Zeb]

I actually just logged in because one of my colleagues said that she'd heard you can used cucumber to deter slugs, but didn't know exactly how. Anyone any ideas?

Hit them with one ?????

[womble]

I actually just logged in because one of my colleagues said that she'd heard you can used cucumber to deter slugs, but didn't know exactly how. Anyone any ideas?

As a sacrifice maybe?

[OllieMartin]

Hit them with one ?????

As a sacrifice maybe?

Found it. Posted the full article here: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ood_48735.html

[Two_Sheds]

I guess that counts as a dumb idea then

Not at all: lateral thinking is very inventive & creative. Don't be shy to come up with more, it's interesting finding out the whys and why nots

[northepaul]

Slightly similar, (though maybe its just me ) I used westland slug gel on the edges of my raised bed and they (plus snails and ants) wont cross it. Its also organic....