Hi all,
I inherited a garden with good soil, lots of insects, slugs and snails, weeds, and even slow worms. This is why I don't want to add anything or take anything away, especially salt. All I have done is clear a 10 x 15 foot of soil, dug it over and planted vegetables. I didn't intend to be 'green' but it turns out I am. So far every plant I stuck in the ground has come up, and there are loads of pollinators including bumble bees and hover flies. Many of these creatures make their nests in the ground, under rocks or even in my old damp shed, so I'm sure as I do any modernization, I bet I see less of everything, just like the wildlife I remember in the 50s, before modern building and farming.
Back to the 'Fence' ! I don't think dissimilar metals develop enough voltage for my attackers. I had to make this quickly, as I don't have much time at the moment, but i think there is a case for a more complicated circuit, as I get 5 or 6 small slugs stuck on the track every morning. I notice the dead ones have almost made it in, and don't know why they don't turn back like the larger ones do.
Perhaps if someone wants to have a go at a circuit, this would be welcome. Bear in mind that if water or soil or debris gets on the track it changes the resistance. If a persistent slug gets zapped, it stays there till dried out. If the tracks are more than 'say' 1/4 inch apart, the smaller ones if coming at an angle can cross. I think a gap in the base between the tracks would help or perhaps 2 X suspended wires would be good. I think the tape that has been mentioned would dissolve under the slime voltage/reaction. (not sure)
So far one has breached the defenses and was frazzled on his way out, 1 square inch of leaf gone.
Cheers, Camerart.