Types of Slug Barrier
In contrast to the all out annihilation of the trapping and killing methods I told you about elsewhere, another approach to dealing with the menace of slugs in the garden is to create barriers.
That old favourite – crushed egg-shells
This is more of a passive, defensive tactic; keeping a little more distance between the slug and your precious plants, with the hope that the two can maybe live in harmony.
Types of slug barrier
Slug barriers – like most things when dealing with slugs – can take on many different and ingenious shapes and forms. They do however, fall into two main categories:
Physical barriers
Something the slug cannot cross, ranging from protecting a single plant with a plastic bottle to encompassing a whole section of garden with a copper strip.
Nuisance barriers
The sort of thing the slug could cross but prefers not to because it’s unpleasant and uncomfortable. An excessive amount of mucus, or slime, is required to traverse it, and this isn’t good for the slug.
The second of these can also fall broadly into two categories:
Rough scratchy surfaces
Something like grit, or the old favourite, crushed egg shells, that are painful and difficult to cross.
Desiccating surfaces
Things like ash, sawdust, or diatomaceous earth that dehydrate and dry out the slug.
Of course, some materials – like ash or diatomaceous earth – are both rough and possess desiccating properties. Others – such as a barrier of entangled fur or hair – don’t fit neatly into any single category.
Remember that the slug’s slime is ‘hygroscopic’, meaning it absorbs moisture. So in wet weather the slime is much more effective, allowing the slug to tackle most rough surfaces with apparent ease.
Did you know...
A slug’s slime enables it to glide without difficulty over glass shards, or even the edge of a razor blade.
Copper
A relatively new type of slug barrier comes in the form of copper. The slug’s slime causes a chemical reaction that creates a small electric current, and the slug hates the resulting mild electric shock... Ouch!
Many new copper based deterrents are now available, including:
Copper tape
Self adhesive copper tape to stick around your pots and containers, or to create a slug barrier around just about anything. As well as keeping slugs at bay, I think the copper tape adds a touch of ‘class’ to an otherwise ordinary container.
Copper rings
Slip the copper ring around single or small groups of plants. Available in various sizes, these rings clip together so you can easily fit them around established plant stems. This also allows you to join them together to form a larger barrier.
Copper feet
This is a clever idea; copper feet to support your pots and containers. Not only do they look attractive and stop slugs from reaching the plants inside, they ensure good ventilation and drainage for your containers too.
Helpful tip
With all barrier methods, thoroughly check the area to be protected for any slugs and snails first. The idea is to keep them out; not trap them inside!
Nemaslug – nematode slug killer
Nemaslug – Slug Killer
Nematodes are living organisms that need careful storage, which is why you don’t see them on the shelves at the garden centre. Instead, you need to order them direct from an approved supplier like Harrod Horticultural, who incidentally offer a good range of other garden products too.
Nemaslug is the brand you’ll find in the UK, and it’s available in two pack sizes:
- Small Pack – Up to 40m² (50yd²)
- Large Pack – Up to 100m² (125yd²)
The small Nemaslug pack contains around 12 million nematodes, the large around 30 million. Don’t ask me how they count them!
Nemaslug slug killer
Find out more...
What do you want to do now
- Plastic bottle slug protection
Make a handy slug barrier from an old plastic bottle. - Rough scratchy slug barriers
Lots more slug barrier ideas for you to try.
Nemaslug
Organic Slug Killer
The perfect choice for the ecological gardener who hates using chemicals and poisons in the garden.
Up to two months slug protection from a single application.
Harmless to birds, animals, and children. Safe to use on food crops. Dead slugs are non-toxic to other creatures.
Over 50 years of manufacturing expertise
Superior products for the serious gardener.
Did you
know?
It’s been estimated that an acre of farmland may support over 250,000 slugs