Will a small 'moat' stop slugs and snails?

[notadrop]

Hi Folks

I am new to gardening and wondered if I made a small 'moat' sitting on top of the soil (made of 2'' diameter flexible pipe, cut in half length ways, and joined to make a circle). If this was put around my plants or pots and filled with water, would it stop snails and slugs from crossing to my plants?

Thank you

Paul

[Glutton4...]

Hello, and welcome to the madhouse!

At a guess I'd say no. They'd just collect underneath it, and burrow to the other side. You'd probably have better luck with a ring of sharp grit or crushed egg shells. Some folk have had success with a circle of Bran, as this dries them out. The whole perimeter of our veg garden is covered in a thick layer of stone, so we don't get slugs or snails, so there must be something in that!

Good luck!

[Two_Sheds]

As G4 says, most of the slugs that do the damage live & travel underground, and snails can swim (honestly, they can!) well, they can and do climb out of any water you put them in unless it's got salt in it

[ginger ninger]

I've tried most things to try and stop the nasty beasties from nibbling mi veg. I've found copper tape to be the best, but this is only effective if you grow in pot's. If you eat grapefruit's for breakfast pop the empty half's upside down on the soil, you'll be able to pick the slugs from underneath and dispatch them. I have a death bucket filled with salt I put them in. Or you could put them in a bucket and give them to someone with hens .

As T'S said some snails can swim .

[arpoet]

I like the idea of a 'Deat Bucket' Ginger. I have some road salt left over from last winter.. i may try that.
Roger

hmmmm.. I wonder if there is gap in the export market for salt dried slugs and snails?

[Snadger]

Make that copper pipe and you may have a chance!

[Florence Fennel]

It was a good idea in principle, but afraid it doesn't hold water. Slugs and snails are extraordinarily hard to prevent, just remember they don't like it dry!

[chris]

...electrified copper pipe

[Aberdeenplotter]

slugs apparently get an electric shock from anything copper so no need to electrify. There are copper tapes and other similar products on the market

[chris]

... which in my testing are useless. I posted photos here in 2008 showing slugs going over copper tape, and jagged copper edging.

That said, as GN pointed out - so work well for her. Welsh slugs must be persistant

[arpoet]

Its no good using copper round here.. the toe rags would have it away as soon as your back is turned.
Roger