Abstract:
The present invention relates to a barrier for at least partially surrounding a planted area for repelling gastropods such as slugs. The barrier has a wall arrangement and a ledge extending away from the wall arrangement. The ledge has a plurality of downwardly extending elements. The barrier is disposed over ground around a planted area to be protected from gastropods. The wall arrangement and the downwardly extending elements of the ledge are operative to repel gastropods and thereby reduce the likelihood of their reaching the planted area.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a barrier for repelling gastropods, such as slugs, and ground beetles from attacking plants. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Gastropods, such as slugs, snails or and like, and ground beetles can inflict significant damage to plants and crops. Solutions have been proposed to reduce or eliminate this damage. 
         [0003]    A widely used approach is the use of slug pellets. Slug pellets are spread around the planted area and contain chemicals which incapacitate or kill slugs. However, slug pallets are effective for only a limited period of time and frequent re-application is necessary to maximise effectiveness. A further drawback is the pellets can be harmful to other animals, such as domestic pets if eaten and they are a known source of soil pollution. 
         [0004]    An alternative approach is the use of structures which present a physical barrier to the movement of gastropods or ground beetles. Typically these barriers surround the planted area that it is desired to protect. However, the present inventors have appreciated known barriers to be of limited use. 
         [0005]    An object for the present invention is therefore to provide an improved barrier for at least partially surrounding a planted area to repel gastropods. 
       STATEMENT OF INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention has been devised in the light of the inventors&#39; appreciation of shortcomings of known physical barriers. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a barrier for at least partially surrounding a planted area for repelling gastropods, the barrier comprising:
       a wall arrangement; and   a ledge extending away from the wall arrangement,   wherein the ledge comprises a plurality of downwardly extending elements.       
 
         [0010]    Providing a barrier which has a wall arrangement, a ledge extending away from the wall arrangement and a plurality of downwardly extending elements may provide a significant obstacle for a gastropod, such as a slug or other insect such as a ground beetle. The elements extend downwardly, i.e. towards the ground, when the barrier is in use. Gastropods rely on being able to attach themselves to a surface to move. To attack a plant the creature has to traverse the plurality of downwardly extending elements. Furthermore as the ledge extends away from the wall arrangement, a creature wishing to climb over the wall arrangement to reach the plants to which it is attracted has to follow a path away from the plants. When a slug realises it is moving away from the planted area it may be discouraged from proceeding any further. The ledge and the plurality of downwardly extending elements may therefore be located on a side of the wall arrangement which, in use, faces away from a planted area to be protected. 
         [0011]    The plurality of downwardly extending elements may depend from one side of the ledge and more specifically from what is, when in use, an underside of the ledge which faces soil over which the barrier is disposed. The ledge may lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the wall arrangement. 
         [0012]    Adjacent downwardly extending elements may define, with a portion of an underside of the ledge, a downwardly facing U-shaped channel. Adjacent downwardly extending elements may define, with a portion of the underside of the ledge, a plurality of downwardly facing U-shaped channels. A gap between adjacent downwardly extending elements may be between 2 mm and 10 mm. More specifically, the gap between adjacent downwardly extending elements may be approximately 6 mm. 
         [0013]    A span across all the downwardly facing U-shaped channels may be at least 50 mm. In one form, the span is approximately 80 mm. In another form, the span is approximately 56 mm. The downwardly extending elements may be ribs. The ribs may be approximately 2 mm thick. Each rib may lie in a plane parallel to the plane of the wall arrangement. The height of some of the adjacent downwardly extending elements may be different to the height of the other downwardly extending elements. 
         [0014]    The arrangement described above provides an undulating “comb” structure which is difficult for a gastropod to traverse to reach the planted area and discourages the gastropod from bridging over a number of downwardly extending elements at once. The varying heights of the downwardly extending elements, particularly where the elements are ribs, may also make it difficult for the gastropod to follow the channels defined by the ribs because there is insufficient distance between adjacent ribs for the gastropod to squeeze in and the ribs are sized to reduce the possibility of a gastropod being able to attach to the rib edge. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the height difference between adjacent downwardly extending elements is approximately 10 mm. It has been observed that if the height difference is much greater than 10 mm, say 15 mm, then the exposed surface between a longer and shorter rib is sufficient for a gastropod to attach to. If the height difference is much less than 10 mm, say 5 mm, a gastropod can arc its body to accommodate the difference in height. There may be a number of different heights of downwardly extending elements. 
         [0016]    Preferably, an edge of at least one of the ribs is defined by one side of the rib tapering towards the other side to define a knife-edge. The side having the taper, in use, may face away from the planted area. Alternatively, an edge of at least one of the ribs is defined by both sides of the rib tapering towards each other to define a knife-edge. Knife edge ridges make it difficult for a gastropod to attach and make crossing the downwardly extending elements more difficult for the gastropod. 
         [0017]    Preferably, in use, the lowest part of the downwardly extending elements is at least 50 mm above the soil. A height of 50 mm is sufficient to prevent a gastropod stretching up to attach itself to part of the barrier, thereby bypassing part of the obstacle provided by the barrier. 
         [0018]    The barrier may further comprise a channel. The channel may be between the wall arrangement and the ledge. A channel may present a further obstacle to a slug that wishes to reach the planted area. The barrier may be configured such that crossing the channel will lead the slug away from the plants to which it is attracted. When the slug realises it is moving away from the planted area it may prefer to follow the channels, in a direction parallel to the planted area, because the channel provides an attractive surface for a slug to attach to. Alternatively, the slug may opt to reverse direction and return to the soil on the side of the wall facing away from the planted area being protected. 
         [0019]    The channel may define an inverted “U” shape. The channel may have a minimum depth of 30 mm and a minimum width of 30 mm. Certain larger classifications of slug can span gaps smaller than 30 mm due to their size, dexterity and ability to attach at any point along their length. The channel may be defined by the wall arrangement, a channel base member and a channel wall member. Sides of the wall arrangement and the channel wall member may oppose each other such that they define sides of the channel. The ledge may extend from the channel wall member. More specifically the ledge may be attached to the channel wall member. The ledge may be attached to the channel wall member on a side of the channel wall member opposite the side of channel wall member which defines a side of the channel. 
         [0020]    The barrier may further comprise a further (i.e. second) channel. Preferably, the first channel (i.e. the channel described above) is sandwiched between the second channel and the wall arrangement. The ledge may extend at least partially across the opening of the second channel. The second channel may define an inverted “V” shape. More specifically, the second channel may define an apex. A slug is more likely to sit in an apex than cross and apex. The highest point of the barrier may be defined by the base of one of the channels. More specifically, the highest point of the barrier may be defined by the apex of the second channel. The base of the second channel may be, in use, 60 mm to 100 mm higher than the base of the first channel. An edge of the second channel may include an inward facing flange. 
         [0021]    The corners of a channel may be sharp. Slugs like to sit in sharp corners and, upon finding a corner, may prefer to stop in the corner rather than continuing to traverse the channel towards the planted area. The apex of the second, V-shaped channel may define an angle between 40 degrees and 70 degrees. A free edge of a channel may define a knife edge. A knife edge may be less readily traversed by a slug or the like. 
         [0022]    The wall arrangement may comprise two wall members which are spaced apart from each other. The two wall members may lie in parallel planes. The two wall members may be attached to other at least at or towards ends disposed furthest from the ground over which the barrier is disposed. Such a configuration may provide for increased rigidity. The barrier may be configured such that the two wall members define a wall arrangement recess with an opening to the wall arrangement recess being oriented towards the ground when in use. The wall arrangement recess may be configured to receive a ground engaging arrangement. The ground engaging arrangement may comprise a planar member with an edge which may be sharp to aid insertion of the ground engaging arrangement into the ground. An edge of the ground engaging arrangement, e.g. an edge opposite the sharp edge, may be received in the wall arrangement recess to thereby support the barrier above the ground. 
         [0023]    Alternatively the wall arrangement may comprise an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion, the lower wall portion being configured to be received in the ground. The distal edge of the lower wall portion may be sharp to aid insertion into the ground. The lower wall portion may be configured to be located between 50 mm and 150 mm into the ground. More specifically, the lower wall portion may be configured to be inserted 75 mm into the ground. A depth of 75 mm may be preferred as this depth may prevent slugs moving under the surface of the ground and bypassing the part of the wall arrangement that is underground. The wall arrangement may comprise an indicator arrangement to indicate an optimum insertion depth. 
         [0024]    The barrier may be formed at least in part of a polymeric material. The polymeric material may be a plastics material or a rubber, such as recycled rubber. Alternatively, the barrier may be formed at least in part of any suitable material such as a metal, for example, aluminium alloy. The barrier may be configured to be extruded or injection moulded as a unitary component. 
         [0025]    The barrier may be configured for connection to an adjacent barrier. A number of barriers can thus be connected to form a continuous barrier to surround a planted area. The barrier may define a profile which is configured to provide for connection with an adjacent barrier. More specifically the barrier may define a recess which is configured to receive a part of a mating member, another part of the mating member being received in a recess defined by an adjacent barrier. The mating member may be configured to change an angle defined by connected barriers. The mating member may therefore comprise a living hinge. The barrier may be configured to be connected to an adjacent barrier by way of a snap-fit arrangement. Alternatively, the barrier may be configured to be connected to an adjacent barrier by means of a tongue in groove or any other suitable fixing arrangement. 
         [0026]    The barrier may comprise a conduit, for example a pipe, which is configured to convey fluid such as water, for example, for the purpose of irrigation or the like of fertiliser for the purpose of fertilisation of plants protected by the barrier. The conduit may comprise a plurality of apertures whereby fluid may leave the conduit and be distributed over the ground to perform its function. The barrier may comprise an attachment arrangement which is configured to attach the conduit to the barrier. The attachment arrangement may comprise a plurality of connectors with each connector being configured to grip the conduit at a different location along its length and to attach to the barrier. 
         [0027]    The barrier may be rigid. Alternatively the barrier may be flexible. A flexible barrier may be sufficiently flexible to permit the barrier to be flexed to encircle a planted area. One end of the flexible barrier may be configured to be connected to the other end of the flexible barrier. 
         [0028]    A coating with low shear viscosity may be provided on at least part of the barrier. More specifically, the coating may be petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly may disable the chemical bonding of the slug and thereby compromise the ability of the slug to gain sufficient purchase to move. 
         [0029]    The barrier may be provided with an anti-slug surface portion. The anti-slug surface portion may be formed by the inclusion of one or more additives. The additives may be selected from iron filings, sharp sand, grit, egg shell, calcified seaweed, holly leaves, thorns, cinders, dry lime, pine needles, garlic, hair, dry straw, saw dust, shredded bark, oak leaves, pine bark chips, black peat, cocoa shell mulch, aromatic herbal mulch, mint, tansy, lemon balm, diatomite. 
         [0030]    The present inventors have appreciated a barrier comprising first and second channels to be of wider applicability than hitherto described. Therefore and according to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a barrier for at least partially surrounding a planted area for repelling gastropods, the barrier comprising:
       a wall arrangement; and   first and second downwardly facing channels extending parallel to the wall arrangement,   wherein, in use, the base of one of the channels is at a different height to the base of the other channel.       
 
         [0034]    Providing a barrier which has a wall arrangement and more specifically a wall member and two downwardly facing channels may provide a significant obstacle for a gastropod, such as a slug or other insect such as a ground beetle. Gastropods rely on being able to attach themselves to a surface to move. To attack a plant the creature has to cross the channels. However, the channels are arranged such that crossing a channel will, for part of the journey, lead the creature away from the plants to which it is attracted. This effect is magnified by providing a barrier in which the base of one of the channels is at a different height to the base of the other channel. Once the slug realises it is moving away from the planted area it may prefer to follow one of the channels, in a direction parallel to the planted area, because the channels provide an attractive surface for a slug to attach to. Alternatively, the creature may opt to reverse direction and return to the soil on the side of the wall facing away from the planted area to be protected. 
         [0035]    Preferably, the channels are located on a side of the wall, in use, facing away from the planted area to be protected. Having the channels located on the side of the wall facing away from the planted area maximises the effect of the channels in taking the gastropod away from the planted area. 
         [0036]    Further embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention may comprise one or more features of the first aspect of the present invention. 
         [0037]    According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a barrier for at least partially surrounding a planted area for repelling gastropods, the barrier comprising:
       a wall arrangement; and   first and second downwardly facing channels located parallel to the wall arrangement,   wherein at least one of channels defines an inverted V-shape.       
 
         [0041]    The first channel may be between the wall arrangement and the second channel. The second channel may define an inverted V-shape. The first channel may define an inverted U-shape. Further embodiments of the third aspect of the present invention may comprise one or more features of any previous aspect of the present invention. 
         [0042]    By virtue of the present invention, there is provided a barrier which can be used to provide a barrier to repel gastropods and ground beetles from attacking a planted area. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0043]    Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following specific description, which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0044]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a barrier for repelling gastropods shown located beside a planted area according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the barrier of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a barrier for repelling gastropods according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the barrier of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a barrier for repelling gastropods according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0049]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the barrier of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 7  shows perspective and side views of a barrier for repelling gastropods according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 8  shows perspective and side views of a barrier for repelling gastropods according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0052]      FIG. 9  shows in a perspective view how two adjacent barriers are connected to each other. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0053]    Referring firstly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are shown side and perspective views respectively of a barrier, generally indicated by reference numeral  10  for repelling gastropods according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  also shows the barrier  10  inserted into soil  12  adjacent a flower  14 . The flower  14  has attracted a slug  16  which must overcome the barrier  10  to feed on the flower  14 . 
         [0054]    The barrier  10  comprises a wall  18 , a first downwardly facing channel  20  and a second downwardly facing channel  22 . The first downwardly facing channel  20  is located parallel with and adjacent to a wall upper portion  24 . The second downwardly facing channel  22  is located parallel with and adjacent to the first channel  20 . The deepest point  23  of the second channel  22 , that is the apex  25 , defines the highest point of the barrier  10  and is at a different height to the deepest point  27  of the first channel  20 . 
         [0055]    As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the first channel  20  is an inverted U-shape, defined by the upper wall portion  24 , a second channel wall  26  and a substantially horizontal channel base member  28  integral with the wall  18 . The horizontal member  28  includes a lip  30  for attaching the horizontal member  28  to the second channel  22 . The second channel  22  also includes an inwardly facing flange  32 , the purpose of which will be discussed in due course. The first channel  20  has a depth of 40 mm and a width of 40 mm. A size of 40 mm is sufficient to prevent larger classifications of slug spanning and bypassing the first channel  20 . 
         [0056]    As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , to reach the flower  14  the slug  16  will have to scale the barrier  10  following the route indicated by arrows “A” to “F”. Following arrow A, the slug  16  climbs the wall  18 . As the slug  16  reaches the upper wall portion  24  it will encounter a first sharp corner  34 . The slug  16  may stop at this point because a sheltered sharp corner is attractive to a slug  16 . Additionally, to reach the flower  14 , the slug  16  will have to move in the direction of arrow B. The slug may sense moving in the direction of arrow B will take it away from the flower  14 , this, again will encourage the slug to stay in the first sharp corner  16  or to move along the first channel  20  parallel to the barrier  10 . If the slug continues in the direction of arrows B and C, it will encounter a second sharp corner  36 , to which it may be attracted, and a knife edge  38  at the bottom of the second channel wall  26 . The knife edge  38  makes it more difficult for the slug  16  to enter the second channel  22 . It will be noted that the inner surface  40  of the second channel wall  26  tapers towards the outer surface  42 . This arrangement is adopted to maximise the difficulty presented by the knife edge  38 . 
         [0057]    To progress, the slug  16  will have to negotiate the second channel  22 , following arrows D and E. The channel apex  25  provides a further desirable sharp corner for the slug  16  to stop in. It is thought that an apex at an angle of less than 90 degrees is an even more desirable stopping place for a slug than a right angle bend. As the apex  25  is the highest point of the barrier  10 , the slug  16  is even further away from the flower  14  giving the slug  16  the impression it is heading in the wrong direction. The slug  16  may therefore prefer to stop in the apex  25  to follow the second channel  22  in a direction parallel to the flower  14 . If the slug opts to continue, the inwardly facing flange  32  provides a further sharp corner for the slug  16  to sit in. By continuing in the direction of arrow F the slug is again taken to the apex  25  of the barrier  10 , the point furthest away from the flower  14 . 
         [0058]    The barrier  10  is one of a chain of barriers  10  (not shown) which snap fit together to encircle and protect the flower  14 , 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , there are shown perspective and side views respectively of a barrier  110  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Some of the features of the barrier  10  and the barrier  110  are common, such as the first and second channels  20 ,  120 ,  22 ,  122 . The additional features only of the barrier  110  of  FIGS. 3 and 4  will now be described. 
         [0060]    It will be noted that the substantially horizontal base member  128  is not perpendicular to the upper wall portion  124  but is at an angle, θ, of approximately 95 degrees. It will also be noted that the barrier wall  118  includes a horizontal portion  150 . The horizontal portion  150  has a dual function. The first function is to provide a depth gauge to ensure the barrier  110  is inserted to optimum depth in the soil. The clearance between the soil and the lowest downwardly extending part of the barrier  110  should be at least 50 mm to prevent larger classifications of slug  16  stretching up to attach to part of the downwardly extending features and bypassing some of the obstacles provided. 
         [0061]    The upper surface  152  of the horizontal portion  150  is a surface to which a coating  154  can be applied. The coating  154  in the present case is broken eggshells, a material which the slug  16  will have great difficulty in crossing as slugs find it difficult to get any purchase to move across a bed of eggshells. 
         [0062]    The barrier  110  is also provided with a ledge  156  extending from the second channel wall inner surface  140 . Extending downwardly from the ledge underside  157  is a series of parallel ribs  158 . There are two lengths of ribs  158 , shallow ribs  160  and deep ribs  162 . Looking at  FIG. 4  it can be seen from the side that the ledge  156  and the ribs  158  together resemble an undulating “comb”  161 . To scale the barrier  110 , the slug  16  must pass along the comb  161  in the direction of arrow “X”. The deep ribs  162  are approximately 24 mm apart. The height difference between the deep ribs  162  and the shallow ribs  160  is selected to be short enough to minimise the amount of the exposed deep rib vertical surface  164 . Minimising the amount of exposed surface reduces the slug&#39;s  16  ability to adhere to the surface. However, if the difference in heights is too small then the rib ends  166  will be arranged such that the slug  16  can treat the ends  166  as a planar surface and pass over with relative ease. The barrier  110  of  FIGS. 3 and 4  is arranged such that the exposed surface  164  is 10 mm deep. 
         [0063]    It can also be seen that each of the rib ends  166  defines a knife-edge, which, as previously discussed, increases the difficulty posed by the arrangement to a slug that wishes to progress in the direction of arrow X. 
         [0064]    Each rib  158  is spaced apart from an adjacent rib  158  by 6 mm with each rib  158  being 2 mm thick. The 6 mm gap is sufficient to prevent the slug  16  from squeezing in between adjacent ribs  158  and finding a surface to latch onto. 
         [0065]    The barrier  110  includes a slot  170  which is adapted to receive a latch or mating member to permit the barrier to be connected to an adjacent barrier (not shown) to lock two barriers together. In this way a chain of barriers  110  can be formed to encircle and protect a plant  14 . 
         [0066]    The barrier  110  is extruded as a unitary article from recycled rubber. 
         [0067]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there are shown perspective and side views respectively of a barrier  210  according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The barrier  210  includes a wall member  218  with a horizontal portion  250 , a ledge  256  and a rib arrangement  258 . These features work together in the same way as the equivalent features of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0068]    Perspective and side views of a barrier  310  for repelling gastropods according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention are shown in  FIG. 7 . The barrier  310  of  FIG. 7  comprises a wall arrangement  318 , a downwardly facing channel  320  of generally inverted U-shape, a slot  370  and a comb arrangement  361 . The wall arrangement  318  comprises two wall members  380  which are spaced apart from each other and lie in parallel planes to thereby define a wall arrangement recess  382  between them with the wall arrangement recess  382  being open at the distal ends of the wall members  380 . The wall arrangement recess  382  receives an edge of a planar ground engaging member (not shown). An edge of the ground engaging member opposite the edge received in the wall arrangement recess  382  tapers to define a sharp edge. In use, the ground engaging member is inserted into the ground to thereby support the barrier  310  shown in  FIG. 7  above the ground. The downwardly facing channel  320  is defined by the wall arrangement  318 , a channel base member  328  which is at an angle of approximately 95 degrees to the wall arrangement  318  and a channel wall member  384 . Sides of the wall arrangement  318  and the channel wall member  384  oppose each other such that they define sides of the channel. The channel wall member  384  extends above the channel base member  328  to thereby define a base of the slot  370 . The comb arrangement  361  comprises a ledge  356  which is attached to the channel wall member  384  such that the ledge  356  extends perpendicularly from the channel wall member  384 . Otherwise the comb arrangement  361  is of a form as described above with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4  in respect of the like of the provision of ribs of differing heights from an underside surface of the ledge  356 . Each of the width and depth of the U-shaped channel  320  is about 35 mm. The ledge is about 80 mm wide (i.e. in a direction away from the channel wall member  384 ). 
         [0069]    The barrier  310  of  FIG. 7  is operative to repel slugs as is described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4  with regard to the U-shaped channel  320  and the comb arrangement  361 . In an un-illustrated form of the barrier  310  of  FIG. 7 , the width of the U-shaped channel  320  is reduced to 17 mm and the width of the ledge  356  is reduced to 56 mm. In view of the reduction in width of the ledge  356  the number of ribs is reduced from ten to seven whereby the spacing of the ribs is maintained. 
         [0070]    Perspective and side views of a barrier  410  for repelling gastropods according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention are shown in  FIG. 8 . Parts in common with the barrier  310  of  FIG. 7  are designated by the same reference numerals and the reader&#39;s attention is directed to the aforegoing description of  FIG. 7  in this regard. The barrier  410  of  FIG. 8  differs from the barrier of  FIG. 310  in respect of the two wall members  380  being of greater length and being joined at their distal ends to define a sharp edge  412 . There is therefore no need for the ground engaging member described above with reference to  FIG. 7  because the wall arrangement  318  of  FIG. 8  is configured of itself to be inserted into the ground. The width of each of the U-shaped channel  320  and the comb arrangement  361  of  FIG. 8  is the same as the un-illustrated form of the barrier  310  of  FIG. 7  described above. 
         [0071]    Although not shown in the drawings, the barrier  10 ,  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410  comprises a pipe which, when in use, conveys fluid such as water for the purpose of irrigation or the like of liquid fertiliser for the purpose of fertilisation of plants protected by the barrier. The pipe comprises a plurality of apertures along its length whereby fluid is ejected under pressure from the pipe for distribution over the ground to perform its function. The barrier further comprises an un-illustrated attachment arrangement which is operative to attach the pipe to the barrier. The attachment arrangement comprises a plurality of connectors with each connector being configured to grip the pipe at a different location along its length and to attach to the barrier. Any suitable known connector may be used. On the other hand, the design of a suitable connector will be within the ordinary design capabilities of the person skilled in the art. 
         [0072]    The connection of two adjacent barriers  510 ,  512  to each other is shown in  FIG. 9 . A first half of a living hinge  514  is received in the slot  170 ,  370  of the first barrier and the second half of the living hinge  514  is received in the slot  170 ,  370  of the second barrier whereby the two barriers  510 ,  512  may be disposed on the ground at an angle to each other. In another un-illustrated embodiment, a straight rigid member is used instead of the living hinge  514  with one half of the rigid member being received in the slot  170 ,  370  of the first barrier and the second half of the rigid member being received in the slot  170 ,  370  of the second barrier to thereby provide for in-line disposition of the two barriers  510 ,  512 . The living hinge  514  and the rigid member are formed by injection moulding of polypropylene. 
         [0073]    Various modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the barriers described above are adapted to be linked to adjacent barriers to form a chain of barriers to surround a planted area. In an alternative embodiment the barrier is flexible and of sufficient length to be bent to a shape which encircles the planted area with one end of the flexible barrier being connectable to the other end. 
         [0074]    Those of skill in the art will recognise that each of the above described embodiments of the invention provides a barrier to repel gastropods and ground beetles from attacking a planted area.