Effective Barrier Materials for the Brown Garden Snail (Helix aspersa)

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective of the project was to determine the effectiveness of various household and commercial materials to deter and repel the Brown Garden Snail (Helix aspersa). Methods/Materials The eight materials tested were: baking soda, salt, Borax, copper tape, egg shells, wood ashes, sand paper, and a control. 12x12 inch zones were surrounded with each treatment. Ten random snails were placed in each treatment zone. The number of snails in each zone was recorded at 1, 2 and 10 hour intervals. Each treatment was replicated three times. Each replicate being done on three different nights. Counts were done at night because this is when snails are the most active. Data was then converted to average percent containment. Results Out of the eight materials tested Borax, salt and wood ashes were the most effective at deterring the Brown Garden Snail. Copper tape and baking soda were somewhat effective. Egg shells and sand paper were not better than the control treatment. Conclusions/Discussion Three treatments, Borax, ashes and salt, showed excellent containment properties. These materials are cheap and easy to get. They have potential to be important pest control products for a pest that causes millions of dollars in damage to California agriculture. Future research should test other materials such as diatomaceous earth, spices and sawdust.

Competition history

• CSEF 2010 Zoology · Entry S2405

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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