Bush Snails - Orchid Board

Ray · #1 12-05-2014, 05:04 PM

A few months ago, I picked up a small Rex begonia to give some year-round color to a terrarium. What a mistake that was. I found that the thing must have brought in some bush snails, as I have not seen them anywhere else for a very long time.

For those of who not familiar with the little so-and-so's, they are tiny, black snails that can devour orchids, and they are not attracted to slug and snail bait, making them hard to eliminate. About the only efective poison is Measurol, which is a controlled application pesticides in many states. So...

I did a little bit of experimenting, and put 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon leaf oil in a quart of isopropyl alcohol, and sprayed the entire terrarium.

No damage to any plant in there, and no more snails!!!

Paul · #2 12-05-2014, 10:19 PM

Hmm, interesting. Never heard of cinnamon leaf oil.

Wonder if a tincture of cinnamon combined with some vegetable oil or neem oil would work?

Keep us posted on whether the vermin show up again over the coming weeks. Little b*&(&(%s are incredibly difficult to eradicate.

gngrhill · #3 12-05-2014, 11:09 PM

good knowing about and good thinking on your part. Let us know if they are gone for good.

katrina · #4 12-06-2014, 08:16 AM

Paul, you can get cinnamon oil at any health food shop that sells essential oils.

I buy food grade oils for personal consumption/personal care products but for cleaning and/or this type of application you can get away w/the cheaper oils that aren't food grade.

Ray -- so you had no damage to the leaves? Last time I used cinnamon oil (in a solution) on a plant I had some burning of the leaves. Of course, the plants were outside and silly me didn't put them in the shade. Anyway, no ill-effects?

Paul · #5 12-06-2014, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katrina

Paul, you can get cinnamon oil at any health food shop that sells essential oils.

Didn't know that. Thanks, ma'am! Does it tend to be expensive? (Many essential oils seem to be judging by the few I have occasionally happened upon.)

Ray · #6 12-06-2014, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katrina

Paul, you can get cinnamon oil at any health food shop that sells essential oils.

I buy food grade oils for personal consumption/personal care products but for cleaning and/or this type of application you can get away w/the cheaper oils that aren't food grade.

Ray -- so you had no damage to the leaves? Last time I used cinnamon oil (in a solution) on a plant I had some burning of the leaves. Of course, the plants were outside and silly me didn't put them in the shade. Anyway, no ill-effects?

None whatsoever, Katrina - on the begonia, a bulbo, a phal, paph, and various jewel orchids. That 1/4 tsp/qt is a very dilute solution - 0.13%.

Cinnamon powder (bark) extracts contain cinnamaldehyde, while leaf oil contains eugenol. I am not aware if the former is effective on the snails, but it is a pretty good fungicide.

Apparently the eugenol is too. I had a toenail fungus, and all of the recommendations - including from my doctor - were to soak in vinegar, then apply Vicks Vap-o-Rub several times a day for 6-9 months. What a PITA that would be. I dabbed a little of the oil on the nail and surrounding tissue with a q-tip and covered it with a band-aid to prevent it from wiping off. Did that in the morning and at bedtime, and in 6-8 weeks, the fungus was dead and the nail started regrowing clean.

I buy (and resell) oil from Cinnamon Vogue. It's purer and more concentrated than what I've seen elsewhere.

ula · #7 12-06-2014, 12:56 PM

Is this what they look like?

Ray · #8 12-06-2014, 02:24 PM

Yep.

Ray Barkalow
firstrays.com

katrina · #9 12-06-2014, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

Does it tend to be expensive? (Many essential oils seem to be judging by the few I have occasionally happened upon.)[/FONT][/COLOR]

Some can be a bit pricey but for general cleaning and whatnot I use a product by NOW...it's not expensive at all. I use DoTerra and Young Living for personal/consumption things and those can be a bit pricey.

I'm not familiar w/Ray's product...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

None whatsoever, Katrina - on the begonia, a bulbo, a phal, paph, and various jewel orchids. That 1/4 tsp/qt is a very dilute solution - 0.13%.

Excellent news...thanks, I'll give it a try next time I find snails. Thanks for the info.

Leafmite · #10 12-06-2014, 05:14 PM

About ten years ago, I found snails throughout my plant collection. I got rid of them by dusting the soil with Sevin. Found tons of dead snails on the surface of my pots. I hate using the stuff but, at the time, I wasn't certain what else to do.
Your solution seems quite a bit safer.