Is this snail damage on my Intergeneric Oncidium?

[Wade Coleman]

Aloha!
I'm relatively new to the orchid world and have much to learn. About a month ago I purchased an Odtna. Pacific Paranoia 'Other Side of Cool' and it has been growing quite well and has set off two new spikes from the new pseudobulbs. One of the newer leaves is showing signs of some kind of damage. It almost looks like something chewed the outer edge of the leaf. It's only on one leaf though, so I'm not sure of its snail damage or some kind of fungus eating away at the leaf..? Any information would be very much appreciated.
Mahalo,

Wade Coleman

[Ray]

I would guess critter over disease. What it is, however, cannot be told from the photos.

It also looks to be done. Keep and eye on it, and check back if it continues to expand to other tissues.

[Wade Coleman]

Is there any kind of precautionary things I should do? Or should I just wait and see what happens?

[estación seca]

It could be insect damage, too.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The only preventative measures I can think of would be to repot the plant by throwing out the old potting media; hosing off the roots in water to knock loose any animals such as earwigs, snails, or slugs that may be hiding in the root bundle; use fresh potting media that you know is not contaminated with insects, arachnids, or mollusks; and to keep the plant indoors under lights.

[estación seca]

You live on Oahu. There are bugs everywhere. Look up the local orchid society, and find out how they deal with things like this.

[Wade Coleman]

The truth comes out! This morning I was watering and found not one, not two, but six tiny snails on my plant! I quickly killed them and searched for more, but couldn’t find any. I’m very nervous now because I’ve heard that snails are very difficult to eradicate. Though the plant doesn’t seem to be too badly damaged (yet) I’m really worried because this plant is growing like crazy (two new pseudobulbs and three spikes in progress) and I don’t want to lose them to a bunch of tiny pests. What are some effective methods y’all have used to get rid of snails?

[estación seca]

Soak the plant in a bucket. The snails will come to the surface. The eggs won't, and will remain alive.

Others have posted here they put small amounts of snail bait on the pots - like one piece per pot.

[Roberta]

I don't have pets or small children, so when I find the little slimeys I am fine with napalm... metaldehyde, the higher percentage the better for snails, that or Sluggo for slugs. If animals or kids are around, you do need to keep them well away from the bad stuff. Now, if those are bush snails, harder to kill than the regular kind because they live in the moist root zone, where the dessicating baits are less effective. For those, not much that works except cleaning and repotting. With followup snail bait. Any any that you can actually get your hands on, squishing underfoot is very satisfying.