ever had coffee with your snails?

[bench72]

ok, well I know that garlic snails are popular in some parts of the world...

but, I need to know, has anyone tried controlling snails with coffee?

I was watching a show that said a mix of water and used ground coffee beans which is poured over the medium will kill these pests... apparently the caffeine gets into their system and poisons them. Espresso is no good as it isn't strong enough.

Anyways, if I do use this potion on my orchids, will it also affect the plant? ie maybe make the media too acid or alkaline or something...

cheers
tim

[JB_Orchidguy]

I would assume it would make it too acidic. And I would think espresso would be better since the coffee is stronger. Maybe its all in the coffe and the grounds are all used up. Heck I dunno. Why don't you just go to lowes and buy some slug bate. There is some that is harmless to dogs and animals. It is a few bucks more, but it works good. It got rid of my snail problem. spread it out about every 2 weeks or so because the stuff doesn;t last that long. The pellets start to grow mold and stuff when they get wet over and over like in a GH. A bag lasts a good while. Also if you insistant on using it on your plants try a single orchid and see if it kills it. Because honestly I wouldn't know, but I do know that when fertalizing it is good to neutralize an acidic to get it closer to neutral. Good Luck.

[Diane]

I use pie pans filled with beer in my outside gardens (don't have a GH). It is safe, non-toxic and snails love beer. They slime on in, but don't slime out. (They get drunk and drown. )at least they go happy - - . I'd put a few 'snail bars' around the area and see if that helps. Oh - you do need to keep the dogs away if you have them, as most dogs love beer too. Make sure to fill the pie pan or shallow bowl about an inch deep with beer.

[Gin]

I have used very strong cofee ,the dregs with instant thrown in on one I recieved with bush snails, the tiny ones that hide in the roots and eat the tips .
I found dead ones ,and it did not hurt the plant . G

[bench72]

ok, great ideas, about sacrificing a plant! Now to find one which I can part with just in case things go all crazy like...

alternatively, I wonder how it would be if i mix a bit of lime with this potion... if it's gonna be acidic... heck, what i really should do is buy one of those ph meters...

Diane, errr... precious beer!!!! Don't think I'd even consider a Victoria Bitter to give to the snails... and as for my dogs... well unfortunately they do love beer so this is a no go...

thanks Gin, Josh, Diane.

Cheers
tim

[Diane]

Diane, errr... precious beer!!!! Don't think I'd even consider a Victoria Bitter to give to the snails...
Cheers
tim

Now, why would anyone want to drink anything that had the word Bitter as part of the name?? I guess I will never understand the appeal of beer. Which is a problem when dining with my cohorts in Japan... it's a bonding thing..

[bench72]

Now, why would anyone want to drink anything that had the word Bitter as part of the name??

oh you know, they get sweeter as you keep drinking


cheers
t