BeneficialSnails

Decollate snails for brown garden snails

Rumina decollata · predatory snail

Against snails

UC IPM names it as the biological control for young brown garden snails and says it can work very well. Release it under irrigated shrubs, ground cover or citrus, where young brown snails shelter, and keep hand-picking the adults. Expect it to take years: UC IPM gives 4–10 years to bring brown snails down to insignificant levels. Release is legal only in Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Madera, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, San Diego, Ventura and Tulare counties, and never near natural areas, where UC IPM warns it endangers native snails.

Rate3–5 per shrub, or about 100 per 1,000 sq ft of planting (supplier); legal only in 12 California counties

TimingLate afternoon or evening, on ground watered first; at least 3–4 weeks (one supplier says 30 days) after the last snail bait

TemperatureNo published range; active at night and in overcast or rainy weather

macro · decollate snail on snails

The pestSnailsCornu aspersum (brown garden snail)Irregular holes in leaves and fruit, slime trails, bark gnawed on young treesFull pest profile →

Before you order

A predatory snail released under irrigated shrubs, ground covers and citrus to eat young brown garden snails. Control takes years. In California it may be released only in 12 counties, and it must be kept away from native snails. How it works, how to tell it has established and the supplier list are on the full Rumina decollata profile.

Release calculator

How many do I need?

Area and infestation level in; quantity, cost and a weekly schedule out. Open the calculator →

Other controls for snails

No other reviewed control is listed for this pest yet.