Dear Cheryl, The deterrent effect could come from the current in the wire, however I wonder if there isn't a slight cupric acid content on the wire that would have an effect as well. Copper seems to have a toxic effect on many organisms. Nineteenth century ship hulls were sometimes sheathed with copper sheets to prevent or slow down marine growth, and copper compounds have been used for a variety of purposes from protecting wood to poisoning non-native species of fish. On the other hand the slime found on slugs and snails may react with the copper to create a slight electromagnetic current. -Tom
>Dear Thomas, >This question seems to have taken off in another track, but yes, I have >heard of just placing a circle of copper wire around your plants, like >lettuce, to keep slugs and snails away. The theory is that the slug or snail >will get a shock as they try to slide over the copper wire, so they keep >out! Kind of a mini electric fence!! >It was suggested in the piece I read that you could lift the copper circles >after the young plants grew enough to be out of harms way, and could be used >next planting. >I guess the long row would be a long piece of wire to encircle the whole row >of young plants. >Cheryl Kemp >Education and Workshop Coordinator >BDFGAA >Phone /Fax : 02 6657 5322 >Home: 02 6657 5306 >email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >web: www.biodynamics.net.au
