ACK! Tiny snails!

[DavidCampen]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

If you're in SoCal, I might be able to use your snails!

I own a Slug Eating Snake. This snake solely feeds on slugs and snails. If you're able to collect them, I could probably help you eradicate your problem with very few hassles.

These bush snails are tiny, only a few millimeters, not like the typical SoCal escargot snail. They spend much of their time hiding in the media so they are hard to collect and it would probably take a lot to make a meal for your snake.

A snake that only eats slugs and snails, that is interesting, I had never heard of that before.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Well that sucks...

Yes, there are actually several different species of snail/slug eating snakes.

Snakes in the genus Pareas are some of them.

There is also another species that I see sold on occasion, called the Cloudy Slug Eater (Sibon nebulata) are snail and slug eaters.

I think some Garter Snakes also eat slugs.

[Leafmite]

If he has used pesticides, it might hurt the snakes.

[Ordphien]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

If you're in SoCal, I might be able to use your snails!

I own a Slug Eating Snake. This snake solely feeds on slugs and snails. If you're able to collect them, I could probably help you eradicate your problem with very few hassles.

Please come to my yard and collect as many slugs and snails as you like...

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Ordphien

Please come to my yard and collect as many slugs and snails as you like...

Hmm...

I think that can be arranged. My place is starting to run short on these pests.

You may PM me anytime if you wish.

[Phal grower]

Originally Posted by Ray

Those are commonly known as "orchid snails" or "bush snails", and are one of the most destructive pests one can get in a collection, and one of the more difficult ones to control. Standard snail baits are ineffective, with measurol - a restricted use pesticide here in PA - being one of the few known toxins. Being that I could not get that, I tried the coffee thing, and it appeared to work.

Keep that plant away from the others until you have eradicated them, or they will be in everything.

Can you run the diluted coffee through the orchid pot without harm? Do you need to flush with water after? Thanks.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Lady Tottington

Hi friends! I was happily getting ready for bed this evening when I glanced over at my catts to see how they where, when something tiny caught my eye! ACK! LOOK! These were all the ones I could see happily scooting around on the moss I have on the top (which was mildly moist from today's watering). How did this happen? These are indoor plants that I got about two months ago and repotted to a bark/charcoal/perlite mixture as soon as they were mine. I have never seen these little buggers before.

What do I do? I'm not even sure what type of damage they could do, but I don't suspect they would be at all beneficial. Rrrgh.

eeesh.

Thanks friends!

Good thing you found them before it's too late.
I first found out about these little snails last year when my favorite dendrobium's new shoots were being damaged. I knew something was chewing on them, but I didn't see anything bugs on them. So I observed at night. There they were! Those little snails partying on my orchid. I handpicked them all and squeezed them to death.

I lost one of the new shoots, but the rest eventually grew.

I tried beer (as I read somewhere it attracts them) but I don't think these small snails are attracted to beer at all.

I use slices of fruit or vegetable ( I've tried apples, carrots, cucumbers, potatoes all with good results) as a bait. Put them on top of the potting mix at early evening and periodically flip and check for snails at night and the following morning.

It is also a good way to see if other pots have these snails on them. My dendrobium was badly damaged, but two other pots also have snails and those plants do not seem to be affected at all. Maybe snails are eating roots in the center of the pot that I cannot see.

I still have snails on that same dendrobium and two other pots, but far less. like one or none depending on the night.
I probably will just repot them this next month.

Is coffee really effective without any harm to the roots???

Someone who tried coffee please leave feedback!

[Phal grower]

Originally Posted by Ray

Those are commonly known as "orchid snails" or "bush snails", and are one of the most destructive pests one can get in a collection, and one of the more difficult ones to control. Standard snail baits are ineffective, with measurol - a restricted use pesticide here in PA - being one of the few known toxins. Being that I could not get that, I tried the coffee thing, and it appeared to work.

Keep that plant away from the others until you have eradicated them, or they will be in everything.

Can you run the diluted coffee through the orchid pot without harm? Do you need to flush with water after? Thanks.

Didn't mean to double post this.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Phal grower

Can you run the diluted coffee through the orchid pot without harm? Do you need to flush with water after? Thanks.

Didn't mean to double post this.

Just sprinkle used coffee grounds on media surface

[RosieC]

I've used half strength coffee soaks on orchids coming in from the greenhouse for the winter. I flush with clear water after. No harm done.

You can also get little snails with slices of raw potato placed around the top of the media over night. The snails come out to feed on the starch in it, pick them up in the morning and if there are snails in there you will see them on the underside of the potato. Do this over several nights.