Home made remedies pointless.

Perhaps not in the same words but, similar. The RHS have following lengthy tests and trials decided that. In the fight and struggle by gardeners, to defend their plants against slugs and snails. Egg shells and copper bands and similar homemade gimmicks are just that. So egg shells at least can now go onto the compost heap or can be used to supplement calcium in the soil. This was announced in a BBC news item the other day.

 

Nope! Copper does work for me. Hostas in pots with copper tape around their rims are very effectively protected from slugs n snails.

I have protected a precious old violet.....plant not person .....using a circle of copper pipe. Kept clean of soil it has denied slugs' access to the plant.

However, gritty materials do not work in my opinion........on my way to the beach slugs are a'plenty on the sand paths too as well as on my own gravel paths.

I have little respect for many of these scientific trials, tests or findings

 

Hi,

Agree with Verdun, copper tape has been the saviour of my potted Hostas for many years, before using the tape they were shredded by snails and slugs, now they can last the whole summer.

Also use it as rings around the base of plants like Delphiniums and Clematis in spring where their new shoots are readily eaten by the slugs if not protected.

Same with runner beans, a ring of tape around the stalk and cane stops them climbing up and eating all the leaves and flowers.

Best thing since sliced bread imho

 

Does anyone know if Copper tape has the same effect against Blackfly?

 

I saw the RHS report on home made slug remedies on the BBC (below) . They debunked 5 methods.
Now as above , I have had some success with copper tape on pots . They are yet to test the beer trap.
Home remedies 'no deterrent' against slugs

 

Well I have thought this all along, but if it works for you, carry on.
None of this pie in the sky stuff works in my opinion.
Two house bricks brought together on a slug does work though.

 

Copper Bands work for us, especially round pots that the hostas are grown in.

 

I put a slug in the middle of a circle of soot and watched it.

He didn't want to cross it at all

 

My method for slug removal. Chill in the house minus shoes and socks, a few beers and remember you've forgotten to lock the back gate at 11-30 pm, rush out and...squish...ran in the house like a baby the wife was nearly wetting herself...

 

I've never tried copper tape.
I do think everything is useless if they're determined though.
Having said that, I've been able to keep a beautiful hosta in a pot this year. It's been on my wooden patio table, not even a tiny hole! It could be the rough wood on my bargain table Or the fact it's dry and in full sun ok, not the best conditions for a hosta but I did water it regularly

 

It is very effective provided you wrap the tape carefully around each blackfly

 

@JWK should I employ a gardener to do that?
Maybe I should enroll the pixies?