Using copper wire to create an anti slug mesh
Using copper wire for slug control is a simple, long-lasting, and natural way to protect your garden plants. By wrapping copper wire into a mesh or barrier, gardeners can create a deterrent that slugs tend to avoid due to the mild electric charge it produces upon contact. It also acts as a physical barrier, preventing slugs from gaining traction—especially on vertical or steep surfaces like the sides of pots. This method of copper wire slug control is particularly popular among organic gardeners seeking to keep pests away without resorting to chemical treatments. If you’d mainly like to know how effective it is compared to other Copper slug repellent products, or other barriers, click: Here
Why use a copper mesh to protect your plants from slugs and snails?
It gives slugs a mild electric shock.
Like I mentioned earlier, when slugs come into contact with copper, it creates a mild electric charge that they really don’t like — making it a natural and chemical-free deterrent.It acts as a physical barrier.
Unless the slugs are extremely tiny, they can’t crawl through the mesh. The gaps are small enough to block them while still being flexible and breathable.It’s rust-resistant.
Copper doesn’t rust like other metals, so it holds up well in outdoor conditions — even after rain or watering.It’s safe for pets and wildlife.
Unlike slug pellets or chemical sprays, copper mesh won’t harm your pets, kids, or the helpful critters in your garden.
It’s long-lasting and reusable.
Once you install it, it can stay in place for seasons. If you need to move it, just lift it and reuse it somewhere else.
how to use copper mesh in the garden - 3 different ways
Method 1 - form a little slug ring or fence out of the mesh
Here, you can see I’ve created a simple anti-slug mesh fence around one of their favourites—broad beans. It’s really easy to do: the copper mesh can be cut to size with scissors, then shaped to fit around your plants. Not only does it make it more difficult for slugs and snails to access the area, but those little spiky bits of copper wire add an extra layer of protection. Combined with copper’s natural slug-repelling properties, it’s an effective and low-maintenance barrier.
Method 2 - use copper mesh to stop slugs entering pots via drainage
So, I don’t think it happens all that often—slugs and snails squeezing up through the drainage holes in pots—but it can happen, especially if the pot is sitting directly on damp soil or mulch. It takes more energy for them to crawl up that way, but they’re persistent creatures when food is involved.
To be on the safe side, you can use a small piece of copper mesh to cover the drainage holes at the bottom of your pots. It still allows water to drain freely, but blocks slugs and snails from sneaking in unnoticed. It’s a simple trick that adds an extra layer of protection, especially for plants that are particularly vulnerable to slug damage. Plus, since copper is rust-resistant, it holds up well even with regular watering.
It’s a small detail, but if you’re already battling a slug problem, every little barrier helps.
Method 3 using copper mesh to protect potted plants.
Copper mesh isn’t just great for protecting plants grown directly in the ground, raised beds, or inside pots. It can also be used to stop slugs from climbing up the sides of pots. By loosely tying a strip of copper mesh around the pot’s rim so it overhangs a bit, you create a tricky surface that slugs struggle to cross.
This overhanging mesh, combined with copper’s natural slug-repellent properties, makes a great combination. It’s something you can’t really achieve with copper tape, which lies flat and doesn’t provide that physical obstacle. So, if you’re looking for an easy way to keep some of the slugs off your potted plants, copper mesh offers a flexible, reusable, and long-lasting solution.
However...
Having said all this, copper’s effect isn’t particularly strong compared to some other slug prevention methods. If you’re curious about just how effective copper really is, I’ve conducted some experiments to test it out.
You can click: here to see the results and find out exactly how well copper works—and in what situations it might work better than other options.
Alternativley you can get my complete guide to slug and snail control below, by popping your email in, you’ll be redirected to a page where you can download it and i’ll make sure to email out a fresh copy, with every update.