Investment

Molluscidal baiting plays a vital role in integrated snail control, although its effectiveness varies, and can incur significant costs to the grower. Recent biological research into pest snails, particularly their movement patterns and reproductive behaviour, have provided several strategies for enhancing the timing and success of baiting programs. Research has established that the optimal period for bait concentration falls within the autumn and early winter, approximately from March to June, before most snail reproductive activities occur. This timing yields the highest cost-efficiency. However, knowing when the right time to bait for snails is a problem that growers along the south coast of Western Australia grapple with at the start of each growing season.

To address this challenge, it is advised that growers start monitoring during late summer. Snails tend to move opportunistically in response to increased moisture or relative humidity (which is variable from one year to the next), increasing the likelihood of encounters with bait and subsequent consumption. Another avenue for enhancing bait effectiveness involves targeting snail pests during their reproductive phases, as research indicates they exhibit heightened susceptibility to bait toxins during these times. Key questions arise: When do snails commence their movement for egg laying, and where does this occur each year? Having answers to these two queries can empower growers with insights into the most suitable baiting timing for their specific region.

Currently, the most reliable technique for determining the commencement of snail fertility and their readiness to lay eggs involves dissecting the snails and inspecting their albumen glands. This method offers a means to accurately ascertain the optimal period for applying baits. Growers and advisers affected by snails are showing growing interest in developing the skills to independently do this.