Is SnailAway like copper tape?
Definitely not. Copper tape may work well in the dry climate of California but is notoriously unreliable in humid climates such as the UK. Whilst it is true that slugs and snails don’t like to ‘walk’ over copper (because of a slight chemical reaction with their slime) they certainly will tolerate it if they are hungry enough. Also, the ‘copper effect’ is seriously reduced when wet – just when it’s needed most – and seems to disappear altogether once it begins to corrode.
In an attempt to improve its effectiveness some versions have serrations along the edge of the tape but it is well known that a snail can pass over the edge of a razor-blade and cross broken glass without harm so serrated copper is not likely to be any more effective. These serrations are far more dangerous to the gardener (and children) than to any slugs and snails!
How does SnailAway work? SnailAway is a mini electric fence. It takes the form of a decorative, self-adhesive tape which can be passed around a plant container. When connected to a small household battery via its patented battery box (no wiring required) it creates a totally snail and slug-proof barrier.
Does it kill them?
No. On attempting to cross the tape, the slug/snail receives a shock from which it recoils. A few seconds later, it makes another attempt with the same result. After several tries it will always give up and withdraw – thus preserving the food-chain and leaving no unhygienic messes lying around.
Isn’t this cruel? Not when compared with the alternatives!
How long does the battery last?
Slugs, snails and caterpillars don’t normally remain in contact long enough to affect battery life. However, heavy and sustained rainfall over a period will begin to drain the battery. We recommend that you use batteries that have ceased to work in other household appliances – eg burglar alarms, smoke alarms, kitchen scales – as there is normally plenty of life left in them to power SnailAway all season.
By recycling your ‘old’ batteries in this way you increase still further the ‘green-ness’ of this already very eco-friendly product while reducing the running costs of your slug defence system to zero!
How much can I protect?
One pack contains sufficient to give protection to a large container, up to 60cms (24 ins)diameter. Alternatively, several small pots can be stood on a plinth and the SnailAway tape passed around the vertical faces of the plinth. Inside greenhouses use it around seed trays or staging.
I want to put SnailAway all around my raised bed which has a perimeter of 16 metres.
How many batteries/boxes will I need? Only one. In fact you would still only need one battery and battery box for 50 metres – which is the maximum continuous length we are able to supply.
Can the tape be joined?
This is possible but our experience has shown that the join can become unreliable. We therefore recommend that you do not join tapes.
My plants are in the ground. How can I use SnailAway to protect them? SnailAway was initially developed to protect plants in containers. However, it soon became clear that it could readily be used in other ways just as effectively. For example around raised flower-beds or simply along a low fence constructed around the plants to be protected. For more details go to the previous (SnailAway Applications) section.
What's the best place to put tape around the pot, at the top or the bottom?
As long as the surface is vertical and the tape is more than 1' away from any overhang or horizontal surface it's not important where the tape is located; just choose where it looks best.
Is it ok if plants hang down over the tape? If plants are allowed to hang down past the tape and come within reach of the slug/snail they will be attacked and used as a means of climbing into the pot.
After applying the tape I notice I have a few creases and kinks.
Will this cause any problems now or in the future? Kinking does not affect performance - only appearance. With care at the fitting stage the kinks can be minimalised or avoided altogether.
I'm thinking of making a long run of tape around my planters, should I use more than one battery? As long as the length of tape is unbroken a single battery will be sufficient for up to 50 metres. Do not attempt to connect more than one battery into a single circuit as a short circuit could stop SnailAway working properly.
What's the longest run of tape I can use? The longest run of tape that can be used is 50metres - because that's the length of a complete reel. One battery will be sufficient to power all of this.
What surfaces can it be applied to? Most surfaces commonly found in the garden – wood, metal, glass, stone, brick, earthenware, plastic. We do not recommend it is used directly onto unglazed terracotta. Terracotta from some parts of the world has a very high salt content which can leach out and corrode the metal. To get round this simply stand the pot on a plinth (eg a slab) and pass the tape around the vertical faces of the plinth or varnish the top rim of the pot (Pictures and more information in the SnailAway Applications Section).
Isn’t it cruel to give slugs and snails an electric shock? Not when compared with the alternatives!
Can my children or pets get a shock from it? Certainly not. The worst that is likely to happen is that a dog may lick the tape when it would experience a very unpleasant taste. SnailAway is safe for children, pets and wildlife.
How long does the battery last? Slugs, snails and caterpillars don’t normally remain in contact long enough to affect battery life. However, heavy and sustained rainfall over a period will begin to drain the battery. We recommend that you use batteries that have ceased to work in other household appliances – eg burglar alarms, smoke alarms, kitchen scales – as there is normally plenty of life left in them to power SnailAway all season. By recycling your ‘old’ batteries in this way you increase still further the ‘green-ness’ of this already very eco-friendly product while reducing the running costs of your slug defence system to zero!
Does rain running down across the tape make it less effective? Sustained rainfall can use up power from the battery. However, in practice this has not been found to lower voltage sufficiently within a season to affect SnailAway's effectiveness. The battery should be removed and safely discarded in the autumn before the first frosts are expected.
