2007-07-06 06:51:59 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
In part, it is because of the electrical reaction between the copper and the snails' mucus which is about 350 mV. A wide band of 7.5 cm was found effective in this experiment. http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/History/2004/Projects/J1920.pdf But also because of copper's antimicrobial properties. http://www.copper.org/health/pdf/astm_antimicrobial_copper.pdf
Also this only really works for the brown garden snails (or scientific name of Helix aspersa Müller), http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/misc/gastro/brown_garden_snail.htm according to research done by the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r107300811.html#ROA
Barrier trunk treatments made with a band of copper foil wrapped around the trunk repel snails for several years with an annual application of a Bordeaux slurry or copper sulfate.
2007-07-06 15:49:53 · answer #1 · answered by Metallic stuff 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Copper carries naturally a tiny positive electric charge and when the snails come into contact with it they are repelled and will crawl away. If the snails did cross it, their bodies would absorb the copper and be poisoned by it.
2007-07-06 13:59:37 · answer #2 · answered by ♥ Rachel The Great ♥ 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Probably because they would absorb the copper through their soft, semi permeable bodies and be poisoned by it.
2007-07-06 13:57:29 · answer #3 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋