Posted by Bertie Doe on August 13, 2011, 1:59 pm
Much has been written in various coffee forums over the years, regarding
research done by Robert Hollingsworth's at the USDA facility in Hilo Hawaii.
The killer effects of caffeine on slugs and snails appeared in 'Nature' on
the 27 June 02 :-
http://www.nature.com/news/2002/020627/full/news020624-8.html
http://preview.tinyurl.com/6f54hoq
They used a drench containing 1 - 2% caffeine. This is quite strong, perhaps
20 - 40 times the strength found in a cuppa Joe, which only contains about
0.05% caffeine. However it did state that only "0.01% caffeine puts the
pests off their dinner". This being only one fifth the
amount found in a cup of instant.
On the downside is the comment by Notts Uni about the likely harmful effects
on beneficial insects. This has to be weighed against the possible adverse
effects of Metaldehyde (blue pellets) added to the soil.
If anyone wishes to experiment with coffee, I would suggest making up a
strong solution of say, 10 rounded teaspoonful's of instant to a lire of
warm water. If you are about to buy instant coffee, go for the cheapest
brands available. These are likely to be Robusta coffee from Vietnam. Avoid
Arabica coffee, it tastes nicer, but it has a lower caffeine content.
I don't drink instant, but since November, I've been saving the spent
grounds and pucks from my cafetiere and espresso machine. I boiled up about
2 kilos and added to 5 litres of water. The day before spraying (in late
June) I found under a piece of slate) a medium sized light brown slug, a
giant dark brown and a garden snail. Here's what happened:-
2 slugs and one snail get woken with coffee
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79133573@N00/6038940958/in/photostream
Rapid exit of all 3 but slugs trail their innards
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79133573@N00/6038941792/in/photostream
Pot overlaid to keep off sun
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79133573@N00/6038394029/in/photostream
Next morning, slugs have dissolved, but snails survived in roof of flowerpot
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79133573@N00/6038395397/in/photostream
Ok so 6 weeks ago I sprayed my lettuce, courgettes and dwarf beans. So far
no slug damage despite the torrents of rain of late. Snails have been
deterred, but I noticed one or two visiting this pm, so I will make up
another batch tomorrow. Enjoy your supper.
Bertie
Posted by gardenlen on August 13, 2011, 2:42 pm
g'day bertie,
we've used coffee for snail/slug controlm usually buy the el-cheepo
instant then mix it to road tar strenght sort of, and spray it around
the base of the plant and the adjacent soil need re-application after
rain/watering, we find it works best on the youngest slimmies.
can't imagine any beneficials suffering, as we apply it just before
dusk to work through the night.
On Sat, 13 Aug 2011 18:59:01 +0100, "Bertie Doe"
snipped
--
Matthew 25:13 KJV
"Watch therefore, for ye know neither
the day nor the hour wherein the Son
of man cometh"
Mark 13:33 "Take ye heed, watch and pray:
for ye know not when the time is".
and also: Isaiah 38:1&17-18 KJV
1: Thus saith the Lord, set thine house in order: for thou shalt die and not
live.
17: for thou hast cast all my sins behind my back.
18: For the grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee: they that go
down in the pit cannot hope for truth.
len
With peace and brightest of blessings,
"Seek truth and understanding will follow"
http://www.lensgarden.com.au/
Posted by Bertie Doe on August 13, 2011, 5:50 pm
"gardenlen" wrote in message
>g'day bertie,
>we've used coffee for snail/slug controlm usually buy the el-cheepo
>instant then mix it to road tar strenght sort of, and spray it around
>the base of the plant and the adjacent soil need re-application after
>rain/watering, we find it works best on the youngest slimmies.
>can't imagine any beneficials suffering, as we apply it just before
>dusk to work through the night.
>On Sat, 13 Aug 2011 18:59:01 +0100, "Bertie Doe"
Thanks Len, I thought it was too hot and dry in Oz for slugs. One of my
neighbours loves Hostas, but she refuses to use slugs pellets. She's getting
cheesed off using a torch and salt-cellar and is going to give 'em a coffee
treat instead.
Posted by Martin on August 14, 2011, 4:48 am
On Sat, 13 Aug 2011 22:50:45 +0100, "Bertie Doe"
>"gardenlen" wrote in message
>>g'day bertie,
>>
>>we've used coffee for snail/slug controlm usually buy the el-cheepo
>>instant then mix it to road tar strenght sort of, and spray it around
>>the base of the plant and the adjacent soil need re-application after
>>rain/watering, we find it works best on the youngest slimmies.
>>
>>can't imagine any beneficials suffering, as we apply it just before
>>dusk to work through the night.
>>
>>On Sat, 13 Aug 2011 18:59:01 +0100, "Bertie Doe"
>Thanks Len, I thought it was too hot and dry in Oz for slugs. One of my
>neighbours loves Hostas, but she refuses to use slugs pellets. She's getting
>cheesed off using a torch and salt-cellar and is going to give 'em a coffee
>treat instead.
A saucer full of Fosters kills most things including slugs.
--
Martin
Posted by gardenlen on August 16, 2011, 3:48 pm
yep martin,
beer works well also.
snipped
--
Matthew 25:13 KJV
"Watch therefore, for ye know neither
the day nor the hour wherein the Son
of man cometh"
Mark 13:33 "Take ye heed, watch and pray:
for ye know not when the time is".
and also: Isaiah 38:1&17-18 KJV
1: Thus saith the Lord, set thine house in order: for thou shalt die and not
live.
17: for thou hast cast all my sins behind my back.
18: For the grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee: they that go
down in the pit cannot hope for truth.
len
With peace and brightest of blessings,
"Seek truth and understanding will follow"
http://www.lensgarden.com.au/
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>we've used coffee for snail/slug controlm usually buy the el-cheepo
>instant then mix it to road tar strenght sort of, and spray it around
>the base of the plant and the adjacent soil need re-application after
>rain/watering, we find it works best on the youngest slimmies.
>can't imagine any beneficials suffering, as we apply it just before
>dusk to work through the night.
>On Sat, 13 Aug 2011 18:59:01 +0100, "Bertie Doe"