Betel vine plantations are highly infested with snails. They are eating both betel leaf and sesbania (Stake plant) leaves causing great loss to the farmers. Salt can use to control these types of pest but we cant use salt in betel vine plantation. At present Metaldehyde (chemical previously used for slugs and snails) is not available in our area (probably banned ?). It is highly useful if anybody suggest alternate chemical to control snails.
Thank you
Common Ivy contains a triterpenoid glycoside, hederagenin, which is quite toxic (LC100 = 3 ppm) to some aquatic snails. Its extract is used in herbal medicine as an expectorant and is commercially available. Berries of the endod plant (Phytolacca dodecandra), also contain a triterpene glycoside which has been successfully used as a mollusicide in Ethiopia, again against aquatic species. See Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 32, 248–255 (2000).
Not sure if these are suitable for application to soil due to their water solubility, but at least they are naturally derived, and potentially cheap and possibly less persistent in the environment.
For snail control Methiocab or Metaldehyde baits can be used. Iron phosphate & Boardaux mix. spray is also effective. for controlling snails & Molluscas pest.
- Badges
- Science topic