This season I've discovered the versatility of copper in my battle with Britain's No.1 garden pest...
It comes as no surprise to me that slugs and snails have been voted the most-hated garden pests in the Gardeners' World Awards. Surely no garden in the country can be immune from their devastating activities, unless it's a garden covered in concrete!
Slugs are everywhere, although they hide away pretty well until my back is turned, then come out in force to feed. By sheltering during the day and emerging under cover of darkness, they escape my attention as well as that of many wildlife predators. The occasional hedgehog makes it into my garden at night, and they love to feed on slugs.
However, gardeners who treasure their hostas (and other plants) know all too well just how much damage slugs and snails can do at night. I'm keen to garden without resorting to pesticides where possible, so I don't use slug pellets. This season I've discovered the versatility of copper in my battle with Britain's No.1 garden pest. It's been found that copper rings and tape provide an effective barrier across which slugs and snails refuse to cross.
Copper rings were placed round the base of 'at risk' perennials and hostas in borders early in the year. These rings push down into the soil, then sit proud to form a barrier. At first they stick out like a sore thumb, but as plants grow they've been hidden from view. Sticky-backed copper tape can be applied right round pots (as shown in the photograph above).
I'm not exactly sure of the science behind this, but apparently when a slug or snail tries to slide over the copper tape or barrier it receives an electric 'shock' (or tingle), which forces it to turn around and go elsewhere. From my initial trials this year it appears to work. Hostas protected in this way in pots and borders look perfect, while some plants that I did not protect have become the inevitable slug food!
With this success behind me I'm now going to explore how to protect raised beds of lettuce and salad leaves from slugs. If I begin with a slug-free bed, then attach a copper band round the timber edges, perhaps I can keep the slugs out.
In the meantime I'll continue to welcome in the hedgehogs, frogs, toads, beetles and birds that all play a vital role in pest control in my garden.
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