Home made remedies pointless.

Discussion in 'Pests, Diseases and Cures' started by Mike Allen, Sep 29, 2018.

  1. Mike Allen

    Mike Allen Total Gardener

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    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.
     
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    • Verdun

      Verdun Passionate gardener

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      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 :snorky:.....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 :noidea:
       
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      • ricky101

        ricky101 Total Gardener

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        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 :biggrin:
         
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        • Kandy

          Kandy Will be glad to see the sun again soon.....

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          Does anyone know if Copper tape has the same effect against Blackfly?:biggrin:
           
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          • wiseowl

            wiseowl FRIENDLY ADMIN Staff Member

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            Good morning I have to agree with @Verdun and @ricky101 I have used copper bands on my half barrels for a long time and it does work:smile:

            ps. @Kandy it does work with blackfly the suns reflection from the shiny copper tape stop them landing:lunapic 130165696578242 5:
             
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            • HarryS

              HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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              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
               
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              • shiney

                shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                @Mike Allen I realise that you are only reporting what the RHS has said and not agreeing with them. :blue thumb:

                I also find home remedies do work but @Kandy (I'm sure you know) it doesn't stop blackfly as they fly onto the plants or the ants bring the young aphids onto the plants so they can harvest the honeydew they excrete. Copper bands don't bother ants.
                 
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                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                  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.
                   
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                  • ARMANDII

                    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                    I'm not giving up my method of dealing with Slugs and Snails..........

                    [​IMG]
                     
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                    • zilly

                      zilly Gardener

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

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

                        He didn't want to cross it at all :paladin:
                         
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                        • mazambo

                          mazambo Forever Learning

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                          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...
                           
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                          • Loki

                            Loki Total Gardener

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                            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 :heehee: Or the fact it's dry and in full sun :whistle: ok, not the best conditions for a hosta but I did water it regularly :)
                             
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                            • JWK

                              JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                              It is very effective provided you wrap the tape carefully around each blackfly :)
                               
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                              • Loki

                                Loki Total Gardener

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                                @JWK should I employ a gardener to do that? :lunapic 130165696578242 5:
                                Maybe I should enroll the pixies?
                                 
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