Caffeine attack in Killing Slugs and Snails

By LabourofLove
November 27, 2011

COFFEE KILLS SLUGS & SNAILS. Make very strong caffeinated coffee, then mix it half and half with water and put into a trigger or compressed-air sprayer. Spray on plants and the ground that snails & slugs travel on. As they move over the treated areas, they take up the caffeine through their pseudopod (foot) and it gives them heart attacks in 72 hours. Cheap coffee works as well as the more expensive sort. I use espresso because it's more finely ground (works better in my machine). I also run the water through the grounds more than once to extract as much as possible. Cheers to the University of Hawaii for discovering an elegant and simple solution to nasty critters.

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extranjera

Nov 29, 2011 11:33 AM CST

Name: Jonna
Mérida, Yucatán, México (Zone 13a)

I went out and dumped a container of coffee grounds I was saving for compost on the bed with the slugs the other night. I saw about 8 of the slimy things and bagged them for the trash. I can't stand to squash them so I tie them in a plastic bag and put them in the trash. I sprayed too but then, of course, it rained. I'm going to keep putting the coffee grounds in there and hope that helps as well. I put the dregs from the coffee pot in a sprayer and have been using that undiluted, after sitting around all day it seems pretty strong.

A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.

| @extranjera | Post #183331 (1)

Happy_1

Nov 29, 2011 1:26 PM CST

Name: Nancy or \"Hap\"
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

I promise I'll get dressed next time, Ann.

What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail? ~~Dr. Robert Schuller

| @Happy_1 | Post #183361 (2)

flaflwrgrl

Nov 29, 2011 2:23 PM CST

Thread OP

Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)

I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown

| @flaflwrgrl | Post #183385 (3)

Happy_1

Nov 29, 2011 3:08 PM CST

Name: Nancy or \"Hap\"
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

By any chance does anyone think it's too much multi-tasking to put fertilizer in with the coffee? It's like killing 2 birds with one stone, or killing one bird and feeding another.

Nancy

What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail? ~~Dr. Robert Schuller

| @Happy_1 | Post #183406 (4)

flaflwrgrl

Nov 29, 2011 3:34 PM CST

Thread OP

Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)

I don't know Hap. Ya' think the caffine will make the fertilizer git thar' quicker?

I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown

| @flaflwrgrl | Post #183424 (5)

KyWoods

Nov 29, 2011 3:51 PM CST

Name: Renée
Northern KY

If the leaves start a'quiverin', you'll know it worked.

| @KyWoods | Post #183435 (6)

flaflwrgrl

Nov 29, 2011 4:06 PM CST

Thread OP

Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)

Her plants will be up on the pergola!

I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown

| @flaflwrgrl | Post #183443 (7)

sheryl

Nov 29, 2011 4:30 PM CST

Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)

Ya'll are a riot!

Jonna, give us the good news.... a thousand dead 'uns, yet?

In the end, only kindness matters.

Science is not the answer, it is the question.

| @sheryl | Post #183463 (8)

flaflwrgrl

Nov 29, 2011 5:14 PM CST

Thread OP

Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)

sheryl said:Ya'll are a riot!

Sayeth the gal who had me cracking up all day long yesterday!

I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown

| @flaflwrgrl | Post #183475 (9)

sheryl

Nov 29, 2011 5:23 PM CST

Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)

Nyoooo.....

In the end, only kindness matters.

Science is not the answer, it is the question.

| @sheryl | Post #183479 (10)

Happy_1

Nov 29, 2011 9:41 PM CST

Name: Nancy or \"Hap\"
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Hey,......

I was serious for one time. Give me a break. Do you think it will work?

UGH, you are all hopeless.

Hap

What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail? ~~Dr. Robert Schuller

| @Happy_1 | Post #183608 (11)

flaflwrgrl

Nov 29, 2011 9:43 PM CST

Thread OP

Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)

Hap, I have no idea. It might work fine & then again it might end up being toxic somehow. Got a plant or two you're willing to sacrifice if need be? Then again ... it might affect some & not others. If it were me I wouldn't try it. Just IMHO.

I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown

| @flaflwrgrl | Post #183609 (12)

mcash70

Nov 29, 2011 10:04 PM CST

Name: Margaret
Near Kamloops, BC, Canada (Zone 3a)

| @mcash70 | Post #183612 (13)

Happy_1

Nov 30, 2011 8:13 AM CST

Name: Nancy or \"Hap\"
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Don't know what you're tickled about Margaret, for look at your avatar!!!!!

Maybe too much caffein for you too?

Nancy

What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail? ~~Dr. Robert Schuller

| @Happy_1 | Post #183680 (14)

lovemyhouse

Nov 30, 2011 8:41 AM CST

Name: Debra
Garland, TX (NE Dallas suburb) (Zone 8a)
Rescue dogs: Angels with paws needi

Nancy, quick check shows coffee grounds/coffee is considered a fertilizer in and of itself. I would think if what you were adding to the coffee didn't double or triple up on any component that might be TOO much, it would be just fine.

General from the web: "Used coffee grounds contain about two percent nitrogen, about a third of a percent of phosphoric acid, and varying amounts of potash (generally less than one percent). Analysis of coffee grounds shows that they contain many minerals, including trace minerals, carbohydrates, sugars, some vitamins, and some caffeine. They are particularly useful on those plants for which you would purchase and apply an “acid food,” such as blueberries, evergreens, azaleas, roses, camellias, avocados, and certain fruit trees."

It’s okay to not know all the answers.

| @lovemyhouse | Post #183697 (15)

flaflwrgrl

Nov 30, 2011 8:54 AM CST

Thread OP

Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)

Good info. Debra.

I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown

| @flaflwrgrl | Post #183700 (16)

Happy_1

Nov 30, 2011 9:01 AM CST

Name: Nancy or \"Hap\"
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

WOW, Thanks, Debra. Maybe we should eat the grounds and throw the coffee away.

BTW, has anyone tried to get on Dave's this am? I haven't been able to.

Nancy

What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail? ~~Dr. Robert Schuller

| @Happy_1 | Post #183709 (17)

Ridesredmule

Nov 30, 2011 9:06 AM CST

Name: Charleen
Alford, Florida (Zone 8a)
Walk in Peace / I'm Timber's Mom.

I tried too , but they do that a lot. sometimes I can't get on til in the afternoon.... I couldn't get on either.
Aggravating, isn't it???

Brugmansia *****Carnivorous Plants **********Charley's Girls

Posin Mule

| @Ridesredmule | Post #183717 (18)

flaflwrgrl

Nov 30, 2011 9:06 AM CST

Thread OP

Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)

Seems to be functioning Hap.

I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown

| @flaflwrgrl | Post #183719 (19)

Happy_1

Nov 30, 2011 9:13 AM CST

Name: Nancy or \"Hap\"
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Wonder if they will go down the tubes? Would hate to lose that data base. Maybe Dave can buy it back at a steal. Won't that be a hoot.

Yes, just got on a minute ago.

Hap

What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail? ~~Dr. Robert Schuller

| @Happy_1 | Post #183726 (20)

Killing Slugs and Snails

Caffeine attack

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Killing Slugs and Snails Caffeine attack

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Killing Slugs and Snails

Caffeine attack