Thanks for taking the time to research & test these – very interesting results, and I hadn’t considered the rain factor before. If you want to protect your plot from slugs and snails, these trialled remedies just won't cut it. You may need to try something different. What can I do? But Dr Hayley Jones, entomologist at the RHS and lead researcher, said: “With the likes of eggshells, barks and mulch so far proving no discernible deterrent to slugs and snails, we would recommend using proven formulas like nematode biological control if the damage is just too much to bear.” Protect your plants from slugs AND snails with these new METAL versions of our best-selling Slug Collars. Available in 2 sizes,…

I’m so chuffed I found this piece of yours! Ha fantastic! Really appreciate the time you’ve taken on the copper tape to pass it on to everyone .How generous of you .Saving us time effort and much needed cash ..I too love anything with Monty Don and sobbed last night after watching Gardeners World to hear Nigel had passed away.

Lettuces planted in the ground were found to be more susceptible to slugs, with 5.7% of each eaten on average. This compares to just 0.2% of those in pots, which, despite this advantage, yielded less crop. The green patina developed on copper metal over time is a copper carbonate salt and could be toxic. The attention to detail in this study, and the use of the leaf area meter, lets us be more precise and confident in the results." What’s next for slug and snail research? As members of the Mollusca group of animals, slugs and snails use Hemocyanin proteins in their blood to transport oxygen around their bodies ( whereas we mammals use iron based Hemoglobin). These Hemocyanin proteins contain two copper atoms. This makes all molluscs very sensitive to the ingestion of additional quantities of copper. Too much copper and it prevents oxygen from moving around their bodies and they eventually die, unless they flee to safety. Other popular methods for getting rid of slugs include coffee grounds, and beer. For more information on these methods have a look at:

While you could choose to grow a range of slug-proof plants, like rodgersia and brunnera, slugs may also be repelled from your container-grown plants if you fix copper tape to your pots. Copper tape is thin, easy to cut and simple to apply. Plus, it will gradually turn green over time, giving it an attractive aged look. More ways to get rid of slugs: After tending to the crop for weeks Hayley harvested the lettuces and removed the leaves one by one. She then rated the damage visually and useda leaf area meter for the first time,to record the damage in every square cm of the leaves.Uniform Application of Copper Sulfate as a Potential Treatment for Controlling Snail Populations in Channel Catfish Production Ponds

My older planters have 6 month old copper mesh barriers and I have yet to notice any obvious decrease in effectiveness with oxidation/dirt, but if there down the road maybe I can mitigate it with a firm wire brush scrub.

Does Copper Repel Slugs?

So pleased, daren’t put anything outside, especially with all the rain we’ve had without the tape. We tried it last year for the first time and it really did work. Thanks again. Regardless of exactly why it works, I would recommend copper mesh to anyone with a slug problem amenable to a physical barrier who isn’t too concerned about the aesthetics. Jones added: “Slug pellets do have their problems but they have been tested for safety and when used to their manufacturers’ instructions the risks are quite minimal. It becomes dangerous for pets and other wildlife when they are overapplied.”