Topic: Keeping snails out of pots and tubs

[Hyacinth]

You know that velcro-type tape that you can buy from GCs to use to stake trees and shrubs? Well, I bought a cheaper option from B'ham Rag Market in the haberdashery stall - now my pots have Rings of Confidence in lots of lovely colours and at far less than half the price!

No way the little blighters are going to get past these :D

[tim]

Velcro? Like the stuff on my shoes? Which bit - the hooks or the loops?

[Hyacinth]

Hooks! - no mercy shown!!

[supersprout]

You crease me up lish, PLEASE post a piccie! ;D

[Hyacinth]

You crease me up lish, PLEASE post a piccie! ;D

No camera= no pics.

This velcro is wide - bout 1.5"-2" - no slug/snail can get over that - and it's much cheaper than copper tape.  8)

[Anne Robertson]

Thanks for the tip Lishka. Sounds a great idea.

[telboy]

Good thinking!!!

Just have find a supplier in the A**ehole of England.

[lorna]

Alishka. I know I am dumb and old (has been pointed out to me ;D) Is it single or double sided velcro. How do you fix it to the pots. If you can't post a pic do a drawing for me (please).

[Hyacinth]

"do a drawing" - you crack me up, Laura ;D...

I didn't know you could get double sided velcro? I used the hook side, wound it round the pot and stapled it together. Whatever I will do when I find a live slug attached to it and have to prise it off I don't know!Probly dial 999 - the local plice have been called out to sillier things I'm sure ::)

[tim]

Funny that, in the middle of all this, the Harrod Catalogue arrives - 2" wide double-sided Velcro tree tie - but £6.45 for 18'.

Or Plant tie - looks like 1" - £3.25 for 30'. So twice that is cheaper!

[Trevor Holloway]

Cheaper than copper tape is old electrical cable with the plastic insulation removed - wrap it round a couple of times and twist it together.
Will be worth a try on half the pots / tubs to see if there is any difference.

I've stapled thick wire round some of my raised beds and do not seem to have any problems yet (first season trying it).

[Hot_Potato]

just been reading this thread from beginning (not been in here lately)....and I'm so glad you asked that question Lorna  ;) cos I was wondering the same!

next question tho....you mention 'stapling' it on Lish well....I'm not a very good D.I.Y...er (well only very basic things) and don't know anything about stapling guns.....how do they work then -  do you just push/aim the thing against the pot then?.....only have experience of a paper stapling machine and just can't see that method working  ???

[Hyacinth]

Any good with a needle and thread, HP?

Or glue?

Safety pin would do it....

2 paper clips would do it..

(I'm seeing a List beginning...)

 :D

[greyhound]

I've used this method before to keep slugs off a big pot of basil.  You can get self-adhesive Velcro in haberdashery departments.

I never have trouble with snails any more because my dog likes to eat them.  She listens for them in likely spots.  Unfortunately for her she has practically wiped out the snail population in the garden, and it's rare to find one now.  I've tried in vain to get her to give slugs the same treatment, but it seems it's the crunch she likes!   ;D

[Hyacinth]

Thanks for the endorsement, greyhound - oh! how they mock me  :o ;)

LOL at your dog listening for snails ;D

[Hot_Potato]

Thanks for the info Lish...yes, not bad with a needle or paperclips but can't see how that would work!! ???....you are pulling my leg (aren't you? :-\)...we have a fabric shop here in this small town I live in so will go and see if I can get some self-adhesive velcro tape....thanks ;)...H.P.

[Dunc_n_Tricia]

Thought this sounded interesting, and a quick google brought up this site. It seems that you can buy a reel of hooks with an adhesive backing - I might be tempted, but will look again for UK based suppliers.

http://www.hookandloop.com/site/department.cfm?id=velcro_peel_and_stick&level=2000

Tricia ;-)

[DERYCK32]

Hi there all of you
What at great idea.
Must try this,Thank you.
Deryck