alternatives to copper rings?

elsien

I have a few plants that are being munched, I'm guessing by slugs. I can't find the copper rings to put round them in any of the local shops. If I put copper tape round a cut off water bottle and put that round the base instead, will it work? The copper tape has worked so far on my pots (although my neighbour reckons his slugs have learned to abseil.)

rubiales

Are these plants in the ground or in pots?

If they are in the ground it sounds like a good idea and might be worth a try. The plastic ring will stop them getting in at the bottom and they'll have to try crossing the copper to get at your plants. Copper tape is pretty expensive, though, and you may need a fair bit to protect all your plants.

On my borders I've resorted to 'Growing Success' organic slug pellets as recommended by a local nursery. Only harmful to slugs and snails and approved for organic use. Has worked so far for me.;)

You can find product details here:

http://www.theonlinegardener.com/product.asp?prod=1007834&np=c

Could buy from this site online but cheaper in B&Q and elsewhere @ 3.99 per 750g cannister.

Good luck, whatever method you choose and please let us know if it worked!

Dukie_Boy

Hi Elsien
My Wife Puts Egg Shells Round Her Hosta's
You Could Try Them
Good Luck
Dukie Boy

alanobrien

If in the ground, gravel, coffeee grounds, crushed egg shells or anything similar that is sharp edged will do. If in pots, copper tape or petroleum Jelly around the edge can work.

I have several Hostas in pots and i used an old length of copper pipe which i bent into shape to suorround all the pots.........seems to work ok.

wurzelsar

The previously mentioned "growing success" slug pellets are brilliant. And don't get washed away by the rain.

I also use gravel or very course horticultural grit in some places.

Jayar

Coffee grounds are working quite well for me now. The only problem there is that the grounds seem to dry out and form a mat so the water sits on top and evaporates. We don't eat that many eggs, so I am saving up the dried out eggshells for next year. I dry them in the oven, crush them and keep them in a box with a sachet of silica gell. DH thinks I'm daft; he's probably right.

ixwood

Get a pond. Frogs, toads and newts all eat slugs. As do hedgehogs, birds and other wildlife that'll be attracted.

You only need a little premoulded liner for a wildlife pond.

And it'll look nice!!

elsien

my gardens too small for a pond, but I'm thinking of trying a container water pond - not sure how to make it wildlife friendly though - any suggestions?

red40

One of your cheapest options is to forget about going to a garden centre and buying their over priced copper banding :cool:

Go to a plumbers merchants and ask for a coil of 10mm tube, comes in all lengths, that is what I use and its very easy to shape!

angelavdavis

You can also use rings of porridge oats around your plants - the slugs get full up on the oats so can't eat the plants! However, one warning that well fed slugs breed more slugs so combine with picking them off and disposing of them (I put them in a screwtop milk container and drop them in the dustbin!)