Victor K. Polk wrote: I put pieces of shingle (Or anything else you can find) on the moist ground. In the morning you will find slugs under the pieces. Spray them with ammonia. They instantly dissolve. Ammonia breaks down quickly and is also a fertilizer.
Mr Polk's comment specifically mentioned "slugs" while my main issues are "snails" which are similar but not identical.
Fortunately, Mr Polk's comment is a testable-hypothesis. This wasn't included in the original post because the testing was still in-progress.
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| Picture taken at about 9:00 a.m. after turning over board. |
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| A close-up to make it easier to see the population-density of the snails. |
The snails clearly did not like the experience.
I waited two hours before revisiting the spot. I assume that all of the survivors would make a dash for the exits.
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| Not exactly the same spot, but within a few feet of it. |
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| A close-up of the battlefield. Not a lot of color contrast, but there are about 40 dead snails in that picture. |
Sometimes those 'old school' remedies work!
ReplyDeleteMaybe carry a duck instead of ammonia?
ReplyDeletesam
Do the shells decompose quickly, Joe?
ReplyDeleteNo. The shells will be recognizable as shells for several years. Mollusc shells are a laminate of calcium carbonate the stuff of marble and limestone) and chitin (the stuff of shrimp-shells). Both materials are resistant to decay.
DeleteI had good luck with a snail bait pellet. Was not harmful to dogs. I broadcast it through the garden every spring. Keeps the snails under control. Purchased at the local HD. It was cheaper than the beer traps. Allowed me to enjoy the beer.
ReplyDelete