Slugs and copper.

[Bill HH]

Just musing as you do and it occurred to me that as it is generally accepted that slugs don't like copper would it be effective and safe to use a Bordeaux spray on them. It is copper sulphate after all. Spraying areas where they congregate etc or even round plants. Would copper sulphate have the same effect as copper? Any chemists on here?

[PyreneesPlot]

I gave my tomatoes their second spray of Bordeaux mixture today and noticed a large snail at the top of one plant which must have climbed up the older vegetation which was still quite blue, so I suspect not!

[Jeanied]

The copper tape acts as a barrier which gives the slugs a mild electric shock if they cross it. Copper sulphate will not as it doesn't conduct electricity unless it is in liquid form - so you could put a copper sulphate moat around but it would only last a short time.

[Penellype]

Copper is a metal, and metals are good conductors of electricity, especially copper, which is why it is used for electrical wires. Copper sulphate is a compound (technically a salt) and salts have very different properties to their consitituent elements. Think about table salt - sodium chloride. Sodium is a metal which is very reactive and catches fire on contact with water. Chlorine is a gas. Combine the 2 and you get a stable white powder that is nothing like either.

So the answer to the question is no, Bordeaux mixture would not be an effective barrier against slugs. Also bear in mind that copper sulphate is mildly poisonous to people, can cause skin irritation and is very toxic to fish.

[brownfingers]

I bet some copper wire with 240v running through it would make 'em sit up!

[Chippy Minton]

The copper tape acts as a barrier which gives the slugs a mild electric shock if they cross it. Copper sulphate will not as it doesn't conduct electricity unless it is in liquid form - so you could put a copper sulphate moat around but it would only last a short time.

Moats are definitely the way to go, especially with the rain we've just had....

[Bill HH]

Ah well us great thinkers are doomed to continual disappointments.