Bush snails

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.

 

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.

 

Who's Andy Wright?

 

Who's on first, people.

 

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.

 

A good shot of Orthene 97% worked for me without damage to plants or blooms.

 

Sorry, Jon, make that "Andy P." (Andy's Orchids) Brain fart; for some reason, I always think his last name is Williams.

 

are you confusing him with this guy?

 

Never heard of 'im, Bri - waaaahaaaaay before my time.

 

If the plant is in a basket and can be repotted, do so. Complete removal of old media and washing will remove all snails.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

I found out about worm castings from a friend who said it really worked in his garden.