Welcome to OrchidsForum.com. We are a friendly online community for Orchid Growers all over the world. If you haven't joined yet we invite you to register and join our community. Hope to see you on our forums!

Bush snails

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by Jon, Sep 1, 2010.

  1. Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

    Messages:
    4,437
    Likes Received:
    107
    Location:
    Denver CO, USA
    I have a phal gigantea in a basket, and it seems to be a bush snail factory. I just squashed some 150 baby bush snails on the outside of the basket. I need to kill every snail in there. What's the best way to kill them en masse? I need snail genocide here.
     
  2. This_guy_Bri

    This_guy_Bri weirdo

    Messages:
    868
    Likes Received:
    5
    Location:
    here
    there is evidence that caffeine or coffee grounds can be used to control snails/slugs but i don't know if there is a possibility of phytotoxicity.
    you can mix coffee grounds and water and spray it on the plants. i don't know if a soak would work. i don't know specifics of this. you may need to redo it at least a few times for eggs, if they are not killed.
     
  3. Alexis

    Alexis New Member

    Messages:
    2,893
    Likes Received:
    21
    Location:
    Redland, Miami FL, USA, Earth
    Mesurol, the biggest of the bushsnail guns.

    I did talk to Andy W. a few years back about bushsnails, and he was experimenting with using a caffeine product like Bri mentions. Maybe you can call him for more details, like whether it's been effective.
     
  4. Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

    Messages:
    4,437
    Likes Received:
    107
    Location:
    Denver CO, USA
    Andy Wright?
     
  5. Alexis

    Alexis New Member

    Messages:
    2,893
    Likes Received:
    21
    Location:
    Redland, Miami FL, USA, Earth
    Who's Andy Wright?
     
  6. Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

    Messages:
    4,437
    Likes Received:
    107
    Location:
    Denver CO, USA
    Who's Andy W?
     
  7. Mary Jane

    Mary Jane New Member

    Messages:
    4,342
    Likes Received:
    15
    Location:
    Duluth, Georgia USA
    Who's on first, people.
     
  8. Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

    Messages:
    1,808
    Likes Received:
    580
    Location:
    Oak Island NC
    I don't care who's on first, or if he's named "Andy". However...

    There have been studies that showed that a fairly strong caffeine solution doesn't do much, and then there's my own experience using the saved "dregs" from the coffee pot, kept mold-free by the addition of about 10% rubbing alcohol: After drenching the pots once with the undiluted solution, the snails went away, and I haven't seen another in years.
     
  9. Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

    Messages:
    4,437
    Likes Received:
    107
    Location:
    Denver CO, USA
    Interesting, Ray. I'll give it a shot. Thanks.
     
  10. abaxter

    abaxter New Member

    Messages:
    499
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    6B Southeast KY
    A good shot of Orthene 97% worked for me without damage to plants or blooms.
     
  11. Alexis

    Alexis New Member

    Messages:
    2,893
    Likes Received:
    21
    Location:
    Redland, Miami FL, USA, Earth
    Sorry, Jon, make that "Andy P." (Andy's Orchids) Brain fart; for some reason, I always think his last name is Williams.
     
  12. This_guy_Bri

    This_guy_Bri weirdo

    Messages:
    868
    Likes Received:
    5
    Location:
    here
    are you confusing him with this guy?
     
  13. Alexis

    Alexis New Member

    Messages:
    2,893
    Likes Received:
    21
    Location:
    Redland, Miami FL, USA, Earth
    Never heard of 'im, Bri - waaaahaaaaay before my time.
     
  14. Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

    Messages:
    4,437
    Likes Received:
    107
    Location:
    Denver CO, USA
    Ah. Andy Phillips.

    I think I'm going to try the orthene bit first, since I can drench the GH in the stuff pretty easily. Then maybe something else. We'll see...
     
  15. Paul J

    Paul J New Member

    Messages:
    52
    Likes Received:
    2
    If the plant is in a basket and can be repotted, do so. Complete removal of old media and washing will remove all snails.
     
  16. EdM

    EdM Member in Good Standing

    Messages:
    201
    Likes Received:
    48
    Location:
    Nashville, Tennessee
    I don't think that Orthene is going to do much against snails. Orthene affects arthropods and its not really geared towards mollusks, but it might make them feel sick if its strong enough.

    I'm intrigued by the "coffee dregs" method Ray. I wonder though if its the 10% isopropanol in your mix that is killing the snails?

    I use non-icing automotive windshield washer fluid in a sprayer bottle. The non-icing stuff contains about 30% methanol which kills snails and slugs outright. I suppose the non-icing fluid is difficult to find in the tropics.
     
  17. abaxter

    abaxter New Member

    Messages:
    499
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    6B Southeast KY
    I have no explanation for why Orthene worked on the snails and
    eggs, Ed, but it did with one application. I've checked and rechecked the affected plants and the bush snails are gone and the
    egg cases dried up. How did Orthene work for you Jon?

    Perhaps it "stinked" 'em to death.
     
  18. chattedort

    chattedort New Member

    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have been sprinkling worm castings in my orchid pots and it seems to be doing the job. Also seems to get rid of the tiny millipedes I have been finding.
     
  19. Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

    Messages:
    4,437
    Likes Received:
    107
    Location:
    Denver CO, USA
    Interesting approach, chattedort. What made you think to do that?
     
  20. chattedort

    chattedort New Member

    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    0
    I found out about worm castings from a friend who said it really worked in his garden.