Slugs and any other unwanted pests in and around the hive

[The Cumbrian]

I've not found copper wire or foil to be any deterrent to slugs. May be either because it wasn't substantial enough

It does need to be quite a wide strip more than 2 inches is recommended also you do occasionally need to lightly glasspaper the surface as oxidation can reduce the effect.

Personally I doubt copper wire would work unless you were able to wind it around the leg leaving no gaps between the wire and cover the 2" or so required.

 

[BeeJayBee]

If you use wire it needs to be wound quite tightly, and a wide enough band so the slug has to try to cross a good two or three inches of copper in its' search for food.

... and you need to strip off the insulation (no, it wasn't me!)

 

[yeogi75]

and connect to supply heeee

 

[chrismcd]

Well, if else fails why not try a tray of metaldehyde slug killer below the varroa floor.

I know it is a pesticide, but it is a narcotic and attractant rather than a killer.

The slugs will be attracted to the slug killer (although I doubt if any actually eating honey would be tempted) and then they get knocked out and die of dehydration.

Make sure you take the usual precautions and if you have a dog that is fed on cereal based dog food make sure they cannot get to it.

Or why not try a tray of beer first - although you may have to fish the bees out!