Does copper band loose its effectiveness over time? It feels that the copper bands we put in last year were working better than this year. If that’s the case, how can I clean them?
thank you for your comment. It is not yet clear if copper is working better or worse over time. If you want to clean copper you have several options. For example you could use vinegar and salt. Have a look here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NABOvAfC03g
The reaction is not so much chemical but electrochemical. The slug gets shocked from ground voltage. Your cake cover was too dry and an insulator. Copper needs electrical connection to the ground. A wet container/ flower pot will likely be 100%
??? Ground voltage = 0 Volts, which is why it’s the reference point for all voltage measurements in electrical systems. If you connect copper tape from your pot to a wire and into the ground, you’ve created a grounding electrode (whatever is in the ground that is conductive), a grounding electrode conductor (wire from electrode in ground to copper tape on pot), and that’s fine. It is not however transferring any voltage either from the earth to the slug/ snail or vice versa. My idea is that if slugs/ snails are repelled by any kind of electrically induced means, it might be that the electrons in the copper atoms in hemocyanin (protein that carries oxygen to cells of invertebrates) might interact with the Valence electrons in the copper strip. In the flow of electrons that we call “electricity” At least that’s how it works
Boy do I have a nasty slug and other pest infestation. I bought 2 inch wide tape and now need to adhere it to something to put around my valuable dahlias. They’ve just demolished it. I wanted to say thank you for this article! I love your tests and your findings but more so, I love that you included helpful products and their links. It makes it so easy to purchase. I believe I might need to create a copper fence to fully protect the entire area as J do have many other plants in the vicinity that I am starting to notice a little damage. Truthfully, I want them dead. I’ve spent hundreds of dollars on various pellet products and I honestly feel they don’t work. Do you have a particular product you know will work? Does insecticide work at all?
Hi Stephen, it will help a little, but it would be good if you could widen the barrier even more. Good luck! Alex
Good tips, am going to try this on my raised beds as the slugs are having a time on my radishes this summer! I think the holy grail of 100% efficacy can only be achieved with a combination of tactics. In my case, I’m going with copper tape and a bramble border to prevent them getting into the beds at all, and for the few who make it in, they’ll get the beer trap treatment. Might be overkill, but they really are a pest here.
Do wire mesh barriers around plants have to be removed in the fall? I am wondering how they fare during the winter months under leaves and snow…and if I will lose them when do I g spring clean-up. Thanks
Sound very good advise. Will try it. Should I put it now in winter or wait until Spring? I live in Southeast TX.
Dear Helen, thank you for your comment. You can put it now or in spring – it doesn´t matter (:
May you have a beautiful day in your garden!
Thanks for the info. I went to Home Depot today and they had copper wire, but no tape.
Does copper band loose its effectiveness over time? It feels that the copper bands we put in last year were working better than this year. If that’s the case, how can I clean them?
Dear Saadia,
thank you for your comment. It is not yet clear if copper is working better or worse over time.
If you want to clean copper you have several options. For example you could use vinegar and salt. Have a look here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NABOvAfC03g
Ketchup, toothpaste, lemon juice and backing powder are also working well (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf-n2eEd08Q).
May you have a beautiful day in your garden,
Alex
The reaction is not so much chemical but electrochemical. The slug gets shocked from ground voltage. Your cake cover was too dry and an insulator. Copper needs electrical connection to the ground. A wet container/ flower pot will likely be 100%
??? Ground voltage = 0 Volts, which is why it’s the reference point for all voltage measurements in electrical systems. If you connect copper tape from your pot to a wire and into the ground, you’ve created a grounding electrode (whatever is in the ground that is conductive), a grounding electrode conductor (wire from electrode in ground to copper tape on pot), and that’s fine. It is not however transferring any voltage either from the earth to the slug/ snail or vice versa. My idea is that if slugs/ snails are repelled by any kind of electrically induced means, it might be that the electrons in the copper atoms in hemocyanin (protein that carries oxygen to cells of invertebrates) might interact with the Valence electrons in the copper strip. In the flow of electrons that we call “electricity” At least that’s how it works
Boy do I have a nasty slug and other pest infestation. I bought 2 inch wide tape and now need to adhere it to something to put around my valuable dahlias. They’ve just demolished it. I wanted to say thank you for this article! I love your tests and your findings but more so, I love that you included helpful products and their links. It makes it so easy to purchase. I believe I might need to create a copper fence to fully protect the entire area as J do have many other plants in the vicinity that I am starting to notice a little damage.
Truthfully, I want them dead. I’ve spent hundreds of dollars on various pellet products and I honestly feel they don’t work. Do you have a particular product you know will work? Does insecticide work at all?
You’re awesome! So glad I found your site. Thank you.
I have used 15mm copper pipe around my raised vegetable planters will this do the job
Hi Stephen,
it will help a little, but it would be good if you could widen the barrier even more.
Good luck!
Alex
Good tips, am going to try this on my raised beds as the slugs are having a time on my radishes this summer! I think the holy grail of 100% efficacy can only be achieved with a combination of tactics. In my case, I’m going with copper tape and a bramble border to prevent them getting into the beds at all, and for the few who make it in, they’ll get the beer trap treatment. Might be overkill, but they really are a pest here.
Do copper barriers have to be lifted in the fall? Or will they continue to be effective under alll of the autumn leaves?
Do wire mesh barriers around plants have to be removed in the fall? I am wondering how they fare during the winter months under leaves and snow…and if I will lose them when do I g spring clean-up.
Thanks