EVG 20mm x 25m Copper Slug Tape | Adhesive Copper Slug Snail Repellent | Slug Deterrent Barrier Tape | Humane Pest Control

Product Information

If I go out at night I will usually see 2-3 slugs oozing circles around the bottom of the barrier but not crossing it. I have seen a slug or two successfully cross it, but it’s rare. If I had to guess I would say I get about 1/20th -1/200th the slug prevalence I used to previously high slug traffic areas I have since “protected”. (tough to say because I am too lazy to count, and I can’t tell how many slugs crossed the barrier vs just live on the other side) The green patina developed on copper metal over time is a copper carbonate salt and could be toxic. I imagine barrier efficacy might depend on the width of the barrier and skinnier tapes might be less effective barriers than 5″ of mesh. I have yet to try using any other type of mesh (steel, aluminum) but if I get bored that might be a fun experiment. I also imagine in addition to whatever theoretical chemical/electrical property copper has that slugs don’t like, there is likely a mechanical component because irregular wire loops might be irritating to ooze across and there may be some variability in effect based on the size/configuration of the wire in the mesh. If you want to protect your plot from slugs and snails, these trialled remedies just won't cut it. You may need to try something different. What can I do?

Jeff Gillman, one of the Garden Professors, commented “When I’ve tested copper the slugs seemed to have a slight preference for not crossing it, but would if that was what they need to do to get where they were going. I’d call it a mild repellant” . I think this is a good summary. Slugs will not go out of their way to cross copper in tape form, but it is not a fool proof solution. Encourage their natural predators into your garden by creatinga haven for wildlife, such as birds and frogs. I am not a chemist but guess it is due to some kind of ion exchange or electron donation. My guess is that something similar is taking place between the bright copper and the molluscs. Roofing metals are chosen for the job because their oxides adhere to their surface and are chemically inert under normal atmospheric condition. Knowledge of this fact is what lead me to triy the experiment in the first place.

What does it all mean?

Other popular methods for getting rid of slugs include coffee grounds, and beer. For more information on these methods have a look at: The RHS also plans to test alternative control methods, such as beer traps, and is currently working with BASF to investigate ways to combine scientifically proven control methods into pest management strategies. Help us do more research

As existing lab studies have shown some of the barriers work, and as other experiments by Hayley hinted that copper tape could be effective, she’s not ruling the barriers out completely. She hopes to run the study again ona different slug population and different soil type at RHS Garden, Harlow Carr in 2019. The attention to detail in this study, and the use of the leaf area meter, lets us be more precise and confident in the results." What’s next for slug and snail research? My criticism of your comments on ‘Electrical current’ as it related to the use of copper is that it represented a deductive approach not an empirical one. Things often fail or succeed for reasons other than we anticipate. There is no substitute for testing.As members of the Mollusca group of animals, slugs and snails use Hemocyanin proteins in their blood to transport oxygen around their bodies ( whereas we mammals use iron based Hemoglobin). These Hemocyanin proteins contain two copper atoms. This makes all molluscs very sensitive to the ingestion of additional quantities of copper. Too much copper and it prevents oxygen from moving around their bodies and they eventually die, unless they flee to safety.

My older planters have 6 month old copper mesh barriers and I have yet to notice any obvious decrease in effectiveness with oxidation/dirt, but if there down the road maybe I can mitigate it with a firm wire brush scrub. Copper is a known poison for many organisms and some copper chemicals are used to disinfect and kill organisms. It seems to make sense that copper tape or copper wire would have the same effect. If you think about this for a minute you will realize this can’t work. Most homes in North America use copper pipe to deliver water in our homes. If it were toxic – would we be using them? I have had a respectable amount of success in slug deterrence using copper mesh as a slug barrier on the outside of wood planters. The mesh is about 5″ wide, which is wider than any of the copper tapes I have seen for sale, and it’s easier to work with compared to the super delicate copper tape I tried, the tape I tried, and it’s easy enough to reuse (although not adhesive on it’s own) But Dr Hayley Jones, entomologist at the RHS and lead researcher, said: “With the likes of eggshells, barks and mulch so far proving no discernible deterrent to slugs and snails, we would recommend using proven formulas like nematode biological control if the damage is just too much to bear.” In the case of the snail we have the copper, and the electrolyte in the form of slug slime.The second electrode is missing. Also missing is the connection between the two electrodes which allows the current to flow. I don’t believe that putting slime onto copper will produce an electric charge. Does Copper Repel Slugs?It’s that time of year when slugs and snails creep out of the woodwork ( quite literally) and look for sources of food after their winter hibernation. My alliums are currently being ravaged and I’m out in the garden with a torch at 10pm on most evenings removing the hungry little beasts. Last year I conducted some tests to disprove the value of egg shells, pistachio nut shells, hair and chilli powder in preventing slugs and snails from eating our plants, all were easily crossed by snails. Young chopped brambles were a surprise snail barrier success though.