Snail fence
Snail fences are a measure used to prevent snails from entering certain areas.
Types
Conventional snail fence
Snail fences made of metal or plastic have an outwardly protruding part (see also snail collars ). This particular edge confuses and distracts snails. After climbing the approx. 10 cm high fence, which should be buried up to 15 cm deep in the ground or attached to raised beds without any gaps, they fall off the angled piece or "refuse the obstacle". The snails are not injured. With overhanging plant shoots and leaves (wet from rain), snails can overcome such fences. Metal fences are considered to be particularly efficient, but they are more expensive than plastic fences. Such snail fences can easily be made from insect mesh, metal mesh by simply bending it, plastic insect screens are thermoplastically deformed with the help of an iron .
Corten steel is said to be an obstacle that is difficult to overcome for snails and is therefore suitable as a snail barrier, for example to protect salad beds. Corten steel contains less than 1% copper. However, this small amount is sufficient for the snail slime to oxidize the copper in the Corten steel. This creates an irritating substance for the snail that prevents the snail from crawling further.
Wooden palisades
Wood in the form of palisades is often preferred in private gardens for aesthetic reasons, but it is not an insurmountable obstacle for snails.
electric fence
Another type is the electric fence . While climbing this fence, the snails get an electric shock , which they survive at low voltage . The disadvantage of this fence is the maintenance it requires, and electricity must always be available. The power can be supplied by a battery to be connected. Another very big disadvantage is that the contacts are very quickly covered with soil after rain and then no longer offer any protection. In addition, short circuits can occur, which cause the fence to lose its effectiveness.
Comparison with other measures
Snail fences are very different in terms of effectiveness and security depending on the type. The advantages are that the snails are only repelled and not killed, and that they therefore do not attract any more snails - in contrast to beer traps, for example . Therefore, a beer trap should be supplemented with a snail fence.
Disadvantages of a snail fence are the effort required to protect a larger area from snail infestation and possible aesthetic problems.
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ snail fence | Effectiveness in the test | Application, tips & tricks +++. In: Schneckenhilfe. March 18, 2019, accessed on May 23, 2020 (German).
- ^ Stiftung Warentest: Snail Control - Against the Schleimer , in: test 7/2005 (accessed online on February 4, 2013).
- ↑ hausgarten.net: The snail fence against snails .
- ↑ a b konsument.at of July 13, 2005, act. August 2nd, 2005: Help against slugs - The return of the little monsters .
- ↑ Stiftung Warentest: Snail Fighting Murder at Dawn , in: test 6/2001 (accessed online on February 4, 2013).
- ↑ Ökotest August 2003: Drive out snails naturally ( Memento of the original from November 21, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. .
