Manfred, I didn't see your message until just now, but my reply to Cheryl Kemp this morning relates to your idea of copper's antifungal properties. I still wonder whether copper wire can form an acid that would deter pests, and it may be possible there is an electrical effect as well. However the wire in my earlier example was not actually touching the soil, being raised several inches above it, so am unable to see how it's antifungal or acidic effect could travel that far. Best, Tom
>From: "Manfred Palmer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Re: Wired! Insect deterrents >Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2002 11:04:38 -0800 >X-Priority: 3 >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Tom: >Maybe your example relates to the anti-fungal effect of those metals' trace >elements on/in the soil. >There is a French Hoe sold locally which has an embedded copper disc which >eventually would touch most of a cultivated garden. There has been mention >made of a plow with the same feature.....But , insects.....i dunno >.......manfred >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Thomas Schley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2002 8:50 PM >Subject: Wired! Insect deterrents > > > > Hi Folks, > > An acquaintance told me she's heard of people using very thin copper > > or silver wire to ward off insects and maybe other critters. The > > wire is strung a few inches above the ground and runs up and down the > > garden rows. Anyone heard of this? What is the principle behind it? > > I assume it concentrates energy somehow that insects don't like. > > Since it doesn't seem to be very common it must have some drawbacks? > > Or is it just one of those magnificent ideas from the 1960s like > > smoking banana peels? > > -Tom > >
