05-02-2006, 08:00 PM
Dryrod,
Thanks for the info. I will have to keep that info on using vinegar and bleach or fantastic. Whether that would kill the snails or not has not been tested. The snail has a "trap door" that it closes which is why it survives the bleach. I am trying to convince Colorado Trout Unlimited and the DOW in doing further testing to find additional chemical methods for killing the snails. These invasive animals were found in late 2004 and early 2005 in Colorado for the first time.
Part of the purpose of the testing that was done in California was to determine chemicals that would not only kill the New Zealand Mudsnail but also be safe for waders and boots. A good number of chemicals were tried but there were only 3 chemicals that successfully did both. These are a copper sulfate solution, diluted "Commercial Solutions Formula 409 Cleaner Degreaser Disinfectant", and a Benzethonium Chloride Solution. The degreaser in the Formula 409 product apparently causes the snail to relax the snail so that the "trap door" partially opens which allows the disinfectant to kill the animal. But you do have to use the correct Formula 409 product - the one with a disinfectant in it. Otherwise it will not kill the snails either.
A number of wader manufacturer's equipment was used to evaluate the chemicals. Simms and Patagonia were two of the major providers of equipment for the testing. Contacting the manufacturer certainly is a reasonable option for determining what might be acceptable but I suspect none of the manufacturers would say anything about the chemicals that the testing program came up with because the manufacturer has never done a test with them.
Besides the scientific test done in California the Colorado Depart of Wildlife has done some laboratory testing of "Formula 409 All Purpose Cleaner Anitibacterial Kitchen Lemon Fresh" (it has the same disinfectant as the other 409 product). The CO DOW also tested Sparquat 256 which is a commercial biocide they have used for years to kill Whirling Desease spores. Both are recommendations put forth by the DOW for killing New Zealand Mudsnails
If you are interested in learning more, the website listed in my post has a links to the State of California testing report and lots of other links to info about New Zealand mudsnails. (see the bottom of the page)
I should also say that a solution of bleach and water does kill many other invasive animals and plants and thus will still be recommended by various States and US Government organizations for control of invasive species. It is unfortunate it does not work for these snails.
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Thanks for the info. I will have to keep that info on using vinegar and bleach or fantastic. Whether that would kill the snails or not has not been tested. The snail has a "trap door" that it closes which is why it survives the bleach. I am trying to convince Colorado Trout Unlimited and the DOW in doing further testing to find additional chemical methods for killing the snails. These invasive animals were found in late 2004 and early 2005 in Colorado for the first time.
Part of the purpose of the testing that was done in California was to determine chemicals that would not only kill the New Zealand Mudsnail but also be safe for waders and boots. A good number of chemicals were tried but there were only 3 chemicals that successfully did both. These are a copper sulfate solution, diluted "Commercial Solutions Formula 409 Cleaner Degreaser Disinfectant", and a Benzethonium Chloride Solution. The degreaser in the Formula 409 product apparently causes the snail to relax the snail so that the "trap door" partially opens which allows the disinfectant to kill the animal. But you do have to use the correct Formula 409 product - the one with a disinfectant in it. Otherwise it will not kill the snails either.
A number of wader manufacturer's equipment was used to evaluate the chemicals. Simms and Patagonia were two of the major providers of equipment for the testing. Contacting the manufacturer certainly is a reasonable option for determining what might be acceptable but I suspect none of the manufacturers would say anything about the chemicals that the testing program came up with because the manufacturer has never done a test with them.
Besides the scientific test done in California the Colorado Depart of Wildlife has done some laboratory testing of "Formula 409 All Purpose Cleaner Anitibacterial Kitchen Lemon Fresh" (it has the same disinfectant as the other 409 product). The CO DOW also tested Sparquat 256 which is a commercial biocide they have used for years to kill Whirling Desease spores. Both are recommendations put forth by the DOW for killing New Zealand Mudsnails
If you are interested in learning more, the website listed in my post has a links to the State of California testing report and lots of other links to info about New Zealand mudsnails. (see the bottom of the page)
I should also say that a solution of bleach and water does kill many other invasive animals and plants and thus will still be recommended by various States and US Government organizations for control of invasive species. It is unfortunate it does not work for these snails.
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