Copper mesh and marigolds deployed as pesticide‑free barriers against garden slugs and squirrels

British gardener Miriam, known on TikTok as @unfollowthepath, uses a simple copper mesh band around pots and beds to keep slugs away. Contact with the copper creates a mild electric charge that the molluscs find unpleasant, and the mesh acts as a physical fence that lasts for several seasons without harming beneficial wildlife.

The annual flower Tagetes patula, commonly called marigold, is recommended to deter squirrels. Its strong scent masks the smell of bulbs and seedlings, making planting areas less attractive to the rodents. Marigolds are easy to grow in full sun, attract pollinators, and can be planted around tomatoes, lettuce, tulip beds, or in balcony containers as a living repellent. Both methods avoid chemical pesticides, are reusable, and are promoted as environmentally friendly garden‑care techniques.