Couperman Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 (edited) I have been busy building raised beds over the past few weeks and have been looking at protecting them from slugs and snails. There are miniature electric fences available like these: http://www.electricfencingsolutions.co.uk/SnailAway/ but I think they would prove expensive for ten raised beds with a 15 metre perimeter. So I decided to have a go at a DIY version like this: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OQeGSPH4wrQ I intend to use galvanised garden wire supported through connection blocks all attached to 8 AA batteries using bits and bobs from maplin. I will cost about £10 per bed. I will post some photos when I get one set up, if it works that is! Kev. Edited October 18, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 Looks like a brilliant idea Kev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 How clever. Will watch with interest. I used miles of copper tape on my raised beds. I think it helped a little bit. I have that found putting a good dollop if diatom around the base of seedlings seems to keep the slugs off them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 we were going to use diatom until I read that it doesn't discriminate and kills helpful bugs and worms aswell as slugs. how's the allotment in general kev, keeping you busy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 we were going to use diatom until I read that it doesn't discriminate and kills helpful bugs and worms aswell as slugs. how's the allotment in general kev, keeping you busy? You could say it is keeping me busy! I am struggling to fit my job and my drink problem I am going to spend the winter fitting raised beds and paths and so on. $ beds done 6 to go. I am looking forward to the spring already! Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 be nice to see some before and after pics, if you have any Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 Kev, What are you making your raised beds from please? I've just bought one 2m x 1m Linkaboard one to see what it was like. It's for my back garden so needs to look neat and pretty. I need a few more raised beds so economical ideas would be gratefully received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggypeggy Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 You think you've seen it all, then someone comes up with the idea of electric fences for slugs!!! Amazing. I've heard that they don't like copper too .. like Eglutine said. The only draw back to both of these, is if you add any animal manures there may be slug eggs brought in with that. Nematodes watered on, would help with that though. Or just using green manures could help. Would love to know how you get on with this.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted October 15, 2008 Author Share Posted October 15, 2008 Kev, What are you making your raised beds from please?I've just bought one 2m x 1m Linkaboard one to see what it was like. It's for my back garden so needs to look neat and pretty. I need a few more raised beds so economical ideas would be gratefully received. I would have loved to have linkabord beds, but as you can imagine a 5m x 2m bed would be rather expensive, and ten such beds would mean parting with a lot of dosh, I have used pressure treated gravel boards so far which are a lot cheaper and I am busy hoarding pallets acquired from work. Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Kev, I used pressure treated gravel board for my veggie plot and they work well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I've just looked these up in B&Q and a 150mm high board 2400mm long is £3.78. So a 2.4m by 1.2m bed would work out at about £12. That's about half the cost of a 2m x 1m linkaboard bed. I looked at Homebase too, B&Q is cheapest so far.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted October 18, 2008 Author Share Posted October 18, 2008 The first Couperszappertron anti-snail defence system is now operational! I am well chuffed with the results. I think 12 volts should be enough to stop them in their tracks hee, hee, hee. The trouble is I can't find any stunt snails to test it on Hopefully my spring cabbages will be safe from the slimy munching hoards now. I will post some piccies and maybe a video of an attempted crossing when I get a chance. The whole thing cost about a fiver including the batteries Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 I've just looked these up in B&Q and a 150mm high board 2400mm long is £3.78. So a 2.4m by 1.2m bed would work out at about £12. That's about half the cost of a 2m x 1m linkaboard bed. I looked at Homebase too, B&Q is cheapest so far.... Try Wickes for gavel boards... when I was looking they were cheapest by far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Ditto for me Matthew! Glad they are operational Kev! Hope they work well for you. I have just restacked my log pile and have a few snails if you want me to post them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
