GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post

23-01-2006, 11:47 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening

In article ,
wrote:

In article ,
(Alan) wrote:

I suspect that if it does work a good connection with the earth is
required

I have never been convinced by the "electrical" explanation for why
copper works. You would need two dissimilar metals.

Another explanation I've heard is that they dislike copper salts
underfoot and that's what they will get if they try to cross some
copper.

I'm sure you're right there. I've observed snails trying to cross
copper barriers and they certainly don't like being in contact with
the metal. It wouldn't take a lot of effort to run an experiment
with some chemically inert wires with a small voltage, some plain
copper and then some absorbant material soaked in copper solution
an dried out. Of course you'd need an animal experimentation license
and an ethics committee approval.

j