I think that the notion that electricity has something to do with slugs and
copper is unnecessarily far-fetched. All metals have "unstable electron
configurations" but most do not bother slugs. More pertinently, copper is a
poison to which slugs and snails are exquisitely sensitive. I expect that a
slug in contact with copper senses big chemical trouble and tries to get
away asap.

"V_coerulea" wrote in message
. ..
Copper has an "unstable" electron configuration which allows the easy flow
of electrons within the metal. Supposedly wet, slimey creatures can feel
this and dislike it. I imagine the best repellant would be the copper
insulated from the ground, as in sitting on top of a plastic strip or
other
insulator. One major problem with this setup is the instability of exposed
copper. It readily oxidizes and combines with airborne contaminants to
form
a non-conducting coating. Coating the copper with something to prevent
this
chemical tarnishing would negate the repelling ability as much as the
tarnish. So unless you would like to get out there and sand down or
chemically clean your copper every month or so (depending on your air
quality) to expose a nice shiney surface, I'd suggest an alternate method.
Fence in the area and buy some guinea hens, chikens, ducks or geese and
turn
those slugs into eggs and poultry.
Gary

"Floyd" wrote in message
...
Part of my garden in unused Scottish farm land with a high slug
population. I've read that slugs don't like copper too much and I have
plenty old copper cable lying around that I'd like to re-use. Has anyone
had any success with this?

Thanks,

Floyd

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