Does copper tape really work for slugs?

Yes — copper tape deters slugs and snails when it's fitted as a complete, unbroken ring on a clean surface, and it works best as one part of your slug defence. It's a deterrent, not a poison: most reports of it 'not working' come down to a gap in the band or a leaf bridging it, not the copper itself. Wider tape on clean pots and beds gives the most reliable result.

Is copper tape safe for pets, children and wildlife?

Yes. Copper tape is a purely physical barrier — there are no pellets, sprays or poison — so it's safe to use around food crops, pets, children, hedgehogs and pollinators. It deters slugs on contact rather than harming them.

How does copper tape stop slugs and snails?

Slugs and snails dislike crossing copper — contact with the metal gives them a tiny, harmless reaction they won't risk. A continuous ring around a pot rim, raised bed or greenhouse staging keeps them off your plants without pellets or chemicals.

Which width of copper tape is best for slugs?

Wider is better. For pots and raised beds, 24 mm or 50 mm makes the most reliable barrier because slugs struggle to stretch across a broad band. Narrow 5–20 mm tape suits small pots and fine work, or doubling up two bands. See our width guide for a steer.

How are orders and delivery handled?

You browse and build your basket here, then complete checkout securely. Payment, your order and fast UK dispatch are all handled for you, and prices are shown in GBP including tax.

Chemical-free copper tape for slugs & snails

Stop slugs eating your plants — without the pellets.

A continuous ring of genuine copper tape keeps slugs and snails off your pots, raised beds and seedlings — no pellets, no chemicals, safe around pets, children and food crops. Five widths to choose from, with honest advice on getting it right and fast UK dispatch.

Shop copper slug tape Which width do I need?

✓ Chemical-free, pet & pollinator safe ✓ Five widths, 5–50 mm ✓ GBP pricing ✓ Fast UK dispatch

Copper tape slug barrier wrapped around a plant pot in a UK garden

5 roll widths5 – 50 mm

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Chemical-freeA physical barrier slugs simply won't cross — safe around food crops, pets and pollinators.

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Truly conductiveReal copper foil with a conductive adhesive, ready for shielding and electronics work.

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Five widthsFrom fine 5 mm strips to broad 50 mm rolls — the right size for every job.

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Fast UK dispatchSecurely checked out and shipped quickly from the UK, with GBP pricing throughout.

The most-asked question

Which copper tape width do I need?

Wider tape makes a more reliable slug barrier because it's harder to bridge. Here's the quick steer — or read the full width guide for the detail.

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Small pots & fine work

Pick 5–10 mm. Neat on small containers and stained glass.

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General pots & containers

Pick 20–24 mm. The everyday all-rounder slug band.

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Raised beds & worst slug spots

Pick 50 mm. Widest band — hardest for slugs to bridge.

Read the width guide →

The range

Copper slug tape in five widths

From fine 5 mm strips to the broad 50 mm slug barrier for raised beds — pick the width your job needs. Long 25 m rolls on the narrow widths mean enough to ring every pot. See live GBP pricing on the shop.

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5 mm × 25 m

Small pots, fine detail & stained-glass foiling

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10 mm × 25 m

Everyday pot rims & small-container slug barriers

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20 mm × 25 m

General pots & wider slug barriers

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24 mm × 12 m

Broad slug bands, raised beds & EMI shielding

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50 mm × 15 m

The most reliable slug barrier for pots & raised beds

Shop all five widths →

Copper tape wrapped around the rim of a plant pot

For the garden

Stop slugs the natural way

Wrap a single, unbroken band of copper around the top of each pot, planter or raised bed. As a slug or snail tries to cross, the copper delivers a tiny harmless charge they won't risk — so your seedlings, hostas and salad leaves are left in peace.

✓No pellets, no chemicals — safe around vegetables, pets and wildlife.
✓Weatherproof — the foil and adhesive stay put through rain and watering.
✓Lasts the season — fit it once and refresh the band each spring.

Being honest: copper tape works best as a complete, unbroken ring on a clean rim, and as one part of your slug defence — see does it really work?

One material, many jobs

Why makers, gardeners and engineers keep a roll on hand

The same conductive copper foil moves effortlessly from the greenhouse to the workbench.

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Slug & snail barrier

Ring pots, beds and staging — slugs avoid the slight charge of copper, no pellets needed.

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Stained glass

Wrap glass edges before soldering with the classic Tiffany copper-foil method.

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EMI / RF shielding

Line enclosures and guitar cavities with conductive foil to cut interference and hum.

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Electronics & repairs

Low-resistance bridges, grounding paths and quick conductive traces for makers.

In three steps

How to apply copper tape

It takes minutes and only needs a clean, dry surface.

Clean & dry

Wipe the pot rim, glass edge or surface so the adhesive grips firmly.

Peel & press

Lift the backing and smooth the foil down as you go, keeping it flat.

Make it continuous

Overlap the ends so the band is unbroken — slugs need no gaps to slip through.

Burnish

Run a finger or tool along the edges to seal it down and you're done.

New to copper tape? Read our complete guide to using copper tape — or browse all our how-to guides: slug barriers, stained glass, shielding and repairs, step by step.

Top-down view of fresh herbs growing in plant pots

Grown with care

From the herb shelf to the soldering bench

Gardeners reach for copper tape to guard tender herbs and seedlings; stained-glass artists use it to foil every piece before soldering; and electronics makers line cavities and enclosures to keep interference out. One roll, endless uses.

roll widths

100%

genuine copper

GBP pricing

Good to know

Copper slug tape: your questions answered

The honest answers to what gardeners ask us most before they buy.

Does copper tape really work for slugs?: Yes — copper tape deters slugs and snails when it's fitted as a complete, unbroken ring on a clean surface, and it works best as one part of your slug defence. It's a deterrent, not a poison: most reports of it 'not working' come down to a gap in the band or a leaf bridging it, not the copper itself. Wider tape on clean pots and beds gives the most reliable result.
Is copper tape safe for pets, children and wildlife?: Yes. Copper tape is a purely physical barrier — there are no pellets, sprays or poison — so it's safe to use around food crops, pets, children, hedgehogs and pollinators. It deters slugs on contact rather than harming them.
How does copper tape stop slugs and snails?: Slugs and snails dislike crossing copper — contact with the metal gives them a tiny, harmless reaction they won't risk. A continuous ring around a pot rim, raised bed or greenhouse staging keeps them off your plants without pellets or chemicals.
Which width of copper tape is best for slugs?: Wider is better. For pots and raised beds, 24 mm or 50 mm makes the most reliable barrier because slugs struggle to stretch across a broad band. Narrow 5–20 mm tape suits small pots and fine work, or doubling up two bands. See our width guide for a steer.
How are orders and delivery handled?: You browse and build your basket here, then complete checkout securely. Payment, your order and fast UK dispatch are all handled for you, and prices are shown in GBP including tax.

Ready to protect your pots?

Pick your width and check out securely. Prices in GBP, dispatched fast from the UK.

Shop the copper tape range