An Evaluation of Snail Immobilization and Mortality Effects Using Selected Chemical Treatments for Potential Trapping Apparatuses

Abstract

This study evaluated the immobilization and mortality effects of selected wet and dry chemical treatments on the giant African snail. The chemical treatments used were 5 g and 10 g respectively of sodium chloride, calcium hydroxide and copper sulphate. Distilled water was used as a control in the wet phase evaluation of the study. In the first phase, each treatment was dissolved in 1000 ml of water. A total of ten (10) snails were submerged into each treatment and this was replicated ten (10) times. In the second phase of the study, 5 g and 10 g respectively of each dry treatment was evenly sprinkled over ten (10) snails within a confined area. This was replicated ten (10) times. It was concluded that the submergence effects of the wet treatment resulted in 100 percent immobilization and mortality for both the calcium hydroxide and copper sulphate treatment at six (6) hours post submergence. The dry treatments had no effect on immobilization and mortality up to six (6) hours post treatment. There was no treatment effect of sodium chloride for both the wet and dry treatments. The study concludes that low cost solutions such as calcium hydroxide can have an effect on the immobilization of the giant African snail. This finding can enable the development of trap designs which could eliminate the one-way door design and enable multiple entrances. Although both calcium hydroxide and copper sulphate solutions were effective for the immobilization and death of the snails, calcium hydroxide is the recommended option given its low toxicological profile when compared to copper sulphate.