Blooming Slugs

Hi All.
Got the usual problems with the lovely slug . Got talking to a local gardener the other day and he recommended copper surrounding the plant . He uses copper 15mm tubing flattened and placed around the base of the plant , Has anybody else tried this and does it work ?. If so how ?.
micky

 

I don't use copper myself, but I know others do. It is supposed to give the slugs a . and they then don't cross it to get at the plants. Not sure how well it works, but I am sure other members will have experience.

 

I have copper tape around a big trug of dahlias, it`s worked previously, been on 2 years, although I did think as I passed it the other day one plant had a nibbled look, so will check it later, maybe its come lose or loses it`s efficacy.

 

Ta Hairy Gardener
micky

 

Thanks pamsdish
Where do you buy copper tape ?. never seen it for sale .
Ta
micky

 

I think it's about £1 in B&M http://www.bmstores.co.uk/ and £5 at a garden centre.
.

 

Bought mine in the ever popular "Wilkos" it was half price, when they had the end of season sale.

 

Cheers Scrungee
micky

 

Thanks Loofah
micky

 

Thanks pamsdish
Going into town today will check out
micky

 

I have got to agree with Loofah. If you only want it to put around certain plants it will be fairly economical but if your whole flower garden and vegetable patch is under invasion it will be expensive. The down side as well, unless you are a slug, is that it does not kill them, it just sends them to another part of your garden. May as well use crushed egg shells, just as effective and cheaper.
I am having more of a problem this year than previous years and am considering using nematodes but I would like to speak to someone who has used this method as I am wary of introducing something like those.

 

if doing a large area , use a slug pub, cheap beer £1 for 4 Tesco/Morrisons, and empty out where the birds can eat them.

 

With Copper Rings around plants you need to make sure that slugs cannot "parachute" in - from overhanging plants above. So in a crowded border it may not work, with isolated plants it should be fully successful.

 

Hi lykewakewalker
I as far as can see only have one plant they seem to love so will give it a go
Cheers
micky