After reading about the effects of copper on slug and snails I looked at the prices of the copper rings that you can buy to act as a barrier around your plants.They seem pretty expensive to me especially if you need a lot of them.Fortuntely for me my father in law is a toolmaker and can get me scrap copper ;D
With this in mind I decided to have a go at making some rings and testing them out as slug detterent.
First of all I cut the copper
(http://www.octagon.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cp.jpg)
Next I bent over the ends to form a rough hook.
(http://www.octagon.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cp2.jpg)
The hooks should be bent in opposite directions.
After the hooks were bent round I created the ring shape.
(http://www.octagon.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cp4.jpg)
The hooks are then clasped together and I also used a hammer to make the connection more secure.The ring can still be unhooked quite easily for placing round the plants.
(http://www.octagon.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cp5.jpg)
The barrier in place
(http://www.octagon.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cp6.jpg)
These take about 5-10 mins each to make and hopefully will make a difference to the slug attacks.I am hoping to make enough to be able to stop using pellets (that is of course if they are effective).
As I didn't have to buy the copper I can't say that these are a cheaper solution than purchasing the ready made rings from gardening catalogues.Does anyone on here know the price of copper?
I will let you know if the barrier works for me.
What about scrap copper piping?
would work great if you could get a big enough diameter.It is very easy to saw through.
Someone will soon be putting copper ringed pots in the garden centers soon at exhorbitant prices! ;D (could be my make millions idea!)
Diesel - Get down that patent office before Doris does ;D
yeah good plan redclanger.
this time next year Rodney.....................
Ive been using them for a couple of years now after OH made me some at work.
Mine are slightly different, they dont go around the plant, they are smaller circles that i just place on top of the soil.
very clever Diesel let us know if they work ,will be getting mr dibber to look out for odd bits of copper in work and showing him your plans thanks Diesel
Did anyone here see Springwatch last night?
They had a long piece on slugs, speeded up so it was quite funny to watch. They had lots of shots of them trying to cross various barriers, and the copper really did work! Slug touched copper, and its reaction was instant - eyestalks pulled in, and eventually it gave up and slithered back down the pot.
I really must get some rings for my poor hostas!
moonbells
Can I have a cut or be your agent Diesel, I know many garden centers! ;D
Moonbells yes I did see it, thought it was highly amusing, and interesting that you are not supposed to secateur the big black ones! :o
Dp
Large black ones are detrivores so I leave well alone.
It is the little grey ones that are the problem.
Very neat job