Copper for preventing snails?

[TracyP]

Hi there
I am building raised beds and have read that putting copper round the edge deters snails. Can anyone advise what I should be buying? Is there some kind of strip and do I nail it on?

Many thanks

[deezyb]

hey TracyP...I did EXACTLY the same thing last year, my first year with raised beds - bought copper tape (it's sticky) and put all the way round my link a bord raised beds! slugs still got in....! ithink if you search a bit on the Grapevine, there are various threads about preventing slugs. i'm trying crushed eggshells this year, and i'm sure someone recommended diluted yeast in shallow dishes would trap them!

try this link for advice http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ion_13990.html

[SMS6]

I used it round mine and it seemed to work okay. What you have to watch out for is plant leaves making a bridge over it.

Mind you I've put some round a new bed this year and for some reason the birds seem to like pecking it off.

[janeyo]

The stuff I found was quite expensive, 13 feet was going to be 6 quid and it wasn't even enough for one raised bed let alone all 6! PLus my pots.

So I decided against and am using other methods. This is meant to be a hobby to save us money not increase the mortgage! Vaseline and salt is working on my lettuces, and coffee grinds round the beds ok so far.

I also go out most nights, esp if wet and hun them down! Great fun

janeyo

[ClayGarden]

I also go out most nights, esp if wet and hun them down! Great fun

Armed with secatures?

[janeyo]

I have latex gloves on and put them in a pot with a lid so the chooks can eat them the next day... the slugs hunt the veg / I hunt the slugs / the chooks eat the slugs... I like the poetry of it!

Janeyo

I think there should be more animals about at night that eat them, after all what's the point of the birds eating them as they go to bed when the slugs come out! Same with the chooks, if I throw them in after dark then the slugs get a sporting chance to get away and get my veg again!
How do I encourage hedgehogs in? They are nocturnal slug eaters.

[Headfry]

janeyo....what happens to the chooks ;-)

[TracyP]

Thanks very much to all for replying. Now I know what I'm looking for, I have located some on ebay! I know it's not a silver bullet but every little helps
Tracy

[Tuger]

Nemaslug and Beer Traps are my Weapons for battle

[HeyWayne]

Haven't coppers got enough to contend with? What will they do, slap ASBO's on your slugs? Cheese! Whatever next!