an
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
|
Post by an on Oct 7, 2023 13:32:46 GMT
HI everyone I have a problem. Please everyone that has had experience using Hypoaspis do reply.
I have mites on my snails they’re dying. I have been buying Hypoaspis and they don’t do anything!!!!! I bought them 3 times, in the thousands. The first 2 times I released them outdoors which is where my snails are, and the problem wasn’t solved. The 3rd time which is now, I do have 3 snails confined in small plastic containers and I put the Hypoaspis straight with the snails. They’re not interested, they don’t do what they’re meant to do. I don’t have much time bc snails deteriorate fast, or they hibernate bc of the pain and if they do then the Hypoaspis do even less. They have been with snails 3 days but they just go around minding their business. They will probably die soon, both snails and mites at this rate. Can anyone help me? Is there anyone that actually bought the Hypoaspis and used them that can tell me how long it takes and if I have to do something particular with them? I even tried to pick up hypoaspis individually and put them inside the snail, which is a hard task I tell you cos they’re small but they either drown in the snail mucus or they just walk away, they def don’t sniff the riccardoella, they’re useless. I’m panicking please help. My snails are my pets I love them I need to help them please tell me what to do
|
|
|
|
Post by Rasplutin on Oct 8, 2023 1:12:44 GMT
Hello, my experience with Hypoaspis miles dates back from 10 years ago, when i bought them to free my Helix pomata from snail-mites. It took a long time, about 3 weeks. And yes, whenever I watched the Hypoaspis mites they seemed uninterested in their prey. Once, I had the opportunity to watch a Hypoaspis mite crawling inside the breathing-hole and catch a snail-mite. I was able to take a photo - although the snail-mite has already been eaten and is not visible anymore: schnecken-forum.de/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=13887#start_hereHypoaspis works, it just takes time. A few years ago, I had 3 Cornu aspersum sent to me and when they arrived I noticed they were full of mites and already very weakened. I didn't think they would have survived the lengthy process of ordering mites and the 3 weeks of treatment. I bought cans of different insect-sprays and ant-spray to experiment with. I took a few snail-mites as sample and checked how they reacted to the spray's aerosols. While the insect-sprays had no effect, the ant-spray killed the snail-mites within seconds. Now the problem was that I had no idea how the snails would react to the spray. I decided to risk a treatment: I took a glass-bowl, sprayed the ant-spray from an arm's length into the bowl and put the bowl over one of the snails to let it inhale the fumes. The snail showed no reacton, no retraction of tentacles or whatsoever. I let the snail inhale for about one minute, then I removed the bowl and inspected the snail's breathing hole. I could see dead snail-mites and put the snail into a different container, separated from the other two. The next day it seemed totally recovered and was very active again! I treated the two other snails the same way and they also recovered. There haven't been enough "cases" to finally approve this method, it may be risky. For Helix pomatia and Cornu aspersum I have not heard of any problems. It seems that cepea sp. reacts more sensitive and should not inhale the fumes for longer than 1 minute. This is the spray that I have used: www.schnecken-forum.de/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=334331#p334331 |
|
an
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
|
Post by an on Oct 8, 2023 11:05:13 GMT
Hello, my experience with Hypoaspis miles dates back from 10 years ago, when i bought them to free my Helix pomata from snail-mites. It took a long time, about 3 weeks. And yes, whenever I watched the Hypoaspis mites they seemed uninterested in their prey. Once, I had the opportunity to watch a Hypoaspis mite crawling inside the breathing-hole and catch a snail-mite. I was able to take a photo - although the snail-mite has already been eaten and is not visible anymore: schnecken-forum.de/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=13887#start_hereHypoaspis works, it just takes time. A few years ago, I had 3 Cornu aspersum sent to me and when they arrived I noticed they were full of mites and already very weakened. I didn't think they would have survived the lengthy process of ordering mites and the 3 weeks of treatment. I bought cans of different insect-sprays and ant-spray to experiment with. I took a few snail-mites as sample and checked how they reacted to the spray's aerosols. While the insect-sprays had no effect, the ant-spray killed the snail-mites within seconds. Now the problem was that I had no idea how the snails would react to the spray. I decided to risk a treatment: I took a glass-bowl, sprayed the ant-spray from an arm's length into the bowl and put the bowl over one of the snails to let it inhale the fumes. The snail showed no reacton, no retraction of tentacles or whatsoever. I let the snail inhale for about one minute, then I removed the bowl and inspected the snail's breathing hole. I could see dead snail-mites and put the snail into a different container, separated from the other two. The next day it seemed totally recovered and was very active again! I treated the two other snails the same way and they also recovered. There haven't been enough "cases" to finally approve this method, it may be risky. For Helix pomatia and Cornu aspersum I have not heard of any problems. It seems that cepea sp. reacts more sensitive and should not inhale the fumes for longer than 1 minute. This is the spray that I have used: www.schnecken-forum.de/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=334331#p334331 |
|
an
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
|
Post by an on Oct 8, 2023 14:34:58 GMT
Hi! You are an angel! I’m so grateful for your replies! Ok I will persist as today is only day 4 of snails being in same box as hypoaspis.
I ask you some more things just to make sure I do things right...
At moment I’m treating 3 snails and they’re used to being outdoors so they really don’t feel well in containers...but I will persist.
What should I do in terms of trying to keep the hypoaspis alive in the boxes? Do I have to put food and what? Or better not put food so they be hungry and go eat the riccardoella?
Same thing with the snails...do I feed them? At moment I’m taking them out of container and give them water to drink (they’re very thirsty by being sucked alive and by being in the box) and food but not leaving anything in the box other than the substrate the hypoaspis came in. I want to keep the hypoaspis and snails alive. Out of the 3 snails one is doing better (young) and other 2, one is young and she’s going back and forth between being on brink of death and getting better. The other one is an adult and she’s half the size she was before and mantle is way back in the shell, but she had lots of food last night which is good she’s fighting.
I will look at ant spray because I found riccardoella all over my plants on the leaves and hypoaspis tend to stay on the soil they don’t climb that high so it’ll be a hard fight. I may spray the ant stuff on the plants too. I’m in uk and weather is cooling down and my snails are getting ready to hibernate and there’s not much I can do with them because when they hibernate and they’re sealed, the breathing hole is not accessible and hypoaspis wouldn’t be able to go in there, also snails are hiding so I don’t know where they are bc I have pots and they are very good at hiding everywhere even behind wall tiles so I won’t be able to put them with hypoaspis but I must try and save these 3 have indoors.
Last thing....in the container there’s a bit of condensation from snails breathing, do you think that is bad for the hypoaspis? Should I make more holes?
I appreciate you. I keep you updated. It’s going to be hard because I also have to go away for work and stay away for few nights and it means taking the snails with me. Whatever it takes.
Thank you in advance xxx
|
|
|
|
Post by Rasplutin on Oct 9, 2023 20:19:16 GMT
You should feed the snails like you normally would, giving them anything they want! Hypoaspis are a bit more difficult to feed, in mass production they are fed with springtails... (that's what I've been told) Most snailkeepers will have springtails in their containers, even without wanting to have them  Maybe you are lucky and will get a springtail-population on slices of cucumber? If that doesn't work you can still add a little soil from your garden, there should be enough food for your hypoaspis in it. This is unusual... riccardoella cannot live outside a snail for more than a few hours, they need the mucus and they need the snail's blood to feed on. Most riccardoella never leave their host-snail, except when they find a new victim, like when their host ist mating. The condensation in your container shouldn't be a problem, as long as the soil is not soaking wet. |
|
an
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
|
Post by an on Oct 18, 2023 15:29:16 GMT
HI! Thank you so much for your help, it means more than I can express.
I give you an update. I had 3 snails in quarantine inside boxes with the hypoaspis.
One died. She/he seemed to be doing relatively ok all things considered. I take them out every evening and make sure they eat and drink and walk around a bit and this one that died seemed ok the night before, was eating and drinking but I could see that the body was getting smaller. And died. And it’s terrible.
Now I have the other 2, they’re each in their own container and as usual I take them out and food and water. 1 is adult and 1 is still not adult. They both are shrinking and I hope they can make it.
On the adult I can visibly see the riccardoella almost everyday and when I see one on the body I kill it.
On the younger snail I never see the mites, maybe only twice but she’s very much smaller than before, the mantle is detached from the shell from the top and often the snail crawls behind the mantle to relieve herself from the mites (that’s what I imagine she does as they must be moving around and being itchy or biting).
They’re both fairly responsive in fact they know the routine by now and they are fantastic.
Now on to the hypoaspis. It’s been nearly 2 weeks and I can see that they’re almost all dead, I don’t see many around like before. I can’t feed them springtails unless I buy them and I haven’t looked into that, so I left decaying vegetables in the box for them to eat hopefully.
I do see some hypoaspis going on the snails but I’m still not sure if they’re doing their job. I ordered another 2000 of them yesterday and they should arrive tomorrow and I give it another shot because I invested myself until now so I can’t give up.
I didn’t find the ant spray in the local shops they don’t sell it. I am still considering if getting it on amazon perhaps, but now both snails are weaker and I’m not sure if it’s too risky now, maybe if I got it as soon as you mentioned it but the days passed as I was looking in shops and then I wasn’t sure anymore. I’ll definitely get it for springtime when the other snails wake up.
So in conclusion at the moment I don’t know if I’m having an improvement or not. They’re still alive and that’s very good but they do look terribly weak and small. I want to help them so badly. I’m spending more time with them waiting for them to wake up and make sure they drink and are comfortable than spending time with my cats!
I’ll now wait for the delivery and see how it goes with the next hypoaspis army.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rasplutin on Oct 19, 2023 0:51:52 GMT
Thanks for the update. What you say does not sound good and I am sorry for the snail that died. I do not understand why the hypoaspis don't seem to do their job - is it possible that they are a different kind of mites and are NOT Hypoaspis miles?
I do not know how to explain their failure. But I do know that a snail crawling behind its mantle is definately a very alarming sign!
You said you couldn't find "THE" ant spray - did you mean the "RAID" spray that I recommended?
If so, can you get ANY (other) ant spray?
I think, chances are that even a different ant spray might work against riccardoella.
Of course, this is risky because it is untested. But your snails are already severly weakened by riccardoella and unless the next army of hypoaspis performs much better, you should let your snails inhale fumes (aerosols) of ant spray...
|
|
|
|
Post by Love snails and slugs on Oct 19, 2023 21:44:01 GMT
Just here to say my snail died
|
|
an
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
|
Post by an on Oct 21, 2023 6:55:30 GMT
Right no I’m crying so hard. I woke up to check on the snails and I think the young one has passed. She’s extended and unresponsive. I’ve had another snail like that and it came back to life but this one is so debilitated. And I swear to you last night she told me goodbye. She’s been sleeping normally every day and would wake up as soon as I picked her up. But last night she was retracted as if she was hibernating. I was unsure if to wake her up for dinner or not, but I’m the end I did bc she’s been eating a lot every night. She struggled to wake up, it took long time. She did eventually and her body was nearly half the size of the day before. I could see she was having trouble coming out of the shell but I saw the effort... and only when I put her on my hand she came out normally, although the shell at this point was so big she couldn’t really work. I cleaned her and helped staying straight then when I put her down to tend to the other snail, she went back in. Again only when I picked her up again she came out. I was fearing something wasn’t right. I offered water and food but she didn’t eat this time. She again would crawl behind the mantle to rasp and clean. When I put her down again she went to sleep so I waited a bit and put her back in her box in a comfortable position. I swear I saw how difficult movements were for her and yet she came out when she was on my hand while she didn’t cm out when she was down. I believe at this point she trusted me so much, she would even let me pull her out when she was going behind the mantle, no fear of me whatsoever. But now I found her like this. Maybe I shouldn’t have woken her up last night but I thought that eating was good and was helping fight the mites.
The mites are definitely hypoaspis I got them from the link on here. Reputable company dragonfli uk. The ant spray I couldn’t find any, no brands at all...
I’m feeling so bad I have to go to work and I don’t know how to do...this snail has been with me for over 4 weeks daily and she even came on two work trips with me. I just can’t. The way they suffer...I don’t know how her heart and lung were still functioning to be honest. The other snail is not eating but she’s awake. I don’t know what to do anymore. The hypoaspis arrived and I put 1000 in each box. I will look again for the ant spray..I’m so down right now I’m so down
|
|
an
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
|
Post by an on Oct 21, 2023 6:57:30 GMT
I’m so so sorry for your loss. Im so down myself. What happened to your snail?
|
|
|
|
Post by Rasplutin on Oct 21, 2023 19:05:32 GMT
This is so sad.
Without spray and without reliable help of hypoaspis it seems you don't have many options to help your snails...
There is one more thing you should try:
Do you see riccardoella on the soft body of your snail? If yes then take the snail out of its container and "blow off" the ricardoella! The mites can walk around on the snail's body but they do not have a good grip:
hold the snail near your mouth and make "phhh" (like you were blowing off a candle).
This method is not as effective as using the spray and you will have to repeat it every few hours.
It assumes that even the mites deep inside the snail's lung will eventually leave the breathing hole of their host.
|
|
an
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
|
Post by an on Oct 21, 2023 19:28:29 GMT
I write to you shortly in about half hour I do have update
|
|
an
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
|
Post by an on Oct 21, 2023 20:39:56 GMT
Thank you sincerely for helping me and understanding me because I feel also very alone in this and lost.
About the riccardoella...when I picked the 3 snails to isolate I knew they had mites by the symptoms, I initially didn’t see the mites on the body. And since I isolated them, on the 2 snails that are now dead I only saw the mites 2 times. On the last snail left which is the oldest of them I have seen the mites maybe 4 or 5 times but they rarely walk on the body, they just stay near the breathing hole and they walk fast, I even tried to catch them and kill them but obviously the mantle is way back so it’s difficult to get to them, I picked them and killed them with the point of a sharp knife but as soon they see me they go back inside the hole. I rarely had 1 or 2 on the body.
I found the ant spray. So I may have a problem with it. Here I couldn’t find only ant spray but insect spray that includes ants. Anyway I went with the active principle this time. The problem is that the one you used had inside cypermethrin, but since then the substance has been banned at least in uk so the closest thing I could find is permethrin which is actually used to kill ticks and fleas on dogs, and is toxic to cats so I have to be very careful.
However I’m trying to figure out if the two substances would work the same and it seems they do but I can’t be 100% certain. So now I just have to decide if to try the spray with this substance.
The snail is not eating, she is awake right now but in the shell. So I think it’s time to take a decision. Also I’m away right now and I have the hypoaspis in the box, if I use the spray on the snail then she can’t go in the box again bc the hypoaspis would die for sure but if I have to do it I do it.
What shall I do, do you think I should try the spray even tho the ingredient is different although it may be similar in a way? I’m not putting the responsibility of the decision on you, I just ask for your opinion. Also, would the snail breathe the fumes if she’s inside the shell? Would it still be effective you think? And I wouldn’t see the riccardoella fall off like you did because they’re inside...
I think I should try, I’m a bit scared tho...but the hypoaspis are really not doing anything or if they are, then it’s not enough..I saw one walking by the riccardoella and do nothing. There’s over 1000 in the box with one snail only....I would think that some out of 1000 would care to eat the mites, I have no way to tell, I can only say that I see them walking on the snail occasionally but I haven’t seen them going in the hole at all
|
|
|
|
Post by Rasplutin on Oct 21, 2023 21:25:39 GMT
Great that you've found some spray!
I have no experience with permethrin, although is an ingredient of the second can I bought - I have never used it because the first one worked...
You should definately try it!
When the snail is inside its shell, we have the problem that you cannot see how it reacts to the spray.
The treatment will not harm your hypoaspis because you do not spray into the container and you do not spray onto the snail directly. Never. This is very important!
You put the snail onto a table and use a glass bowl which you will put over the snail.
First, shake the can!
The spray is then sprayed into that glass bowl at an arm's length. No liquid should drop - if there IS liqiud inside the bowl you should wipe it off using a tissue.
A glass bowl is recommended because you can then watch the snail's reaction (there should be NONE).
After the snail has inhaled the fumes for 1 - 3 minutes, you release the bowl and check for the mites. They should have died if everything went according to plan.
A magnifying glass is helpful to check for the condition of the mites before and after.
|
|
an
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
|
Post by an on Oct 23, 2023 0:07:19 GMT
Ok last night I couldn’t wake snail up at all, I mean she was awake but wouldn’t come out of shell so I was worried I wasn’t going to be able to do anything. But tonight I went home and snail was in the car for few hours and the moving of the car must have woken her up, so as soon as I saw it I went to get the bowl and spray and did what you said. Like yourself I saw that the snail seemed unaffected, the eyes were out normally. I hope I did it right and the fumes actually stayed in the bowl after spraying and moving on top of plate.
I left her in the bowl about 2/3 minutes.
Now she’s walking around. I let her walk around to stretch a bit.
The only issue is that I know there are mites but I can’t see the mites, they stay inside the hole. So I suppose I have to see what the snail does tomorrow, and see if she seems a bit more active and eating.
Do you think I should spray tomorrow again? Or perhaps in a week in case there’s eggs of riccardoella waiting to hatch inside the snail?
If this works it’s just amazing and we have to tell everyone
|
|
|
|
Post by Rasplutin on Oct 23, 2023 14:19:43 GMT
That sounds good, so far... That the snail seems unaffected is what was to be expected - the big question is: what happened to the mites inside the breathing hole? Do you have any kind of "loupe" (like one of these described in wikipedia [ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loupe ])? It would be helpful if you could peep inside the breathing hole. This is what you said 5 days ago: "On the adult I can visibly see the riccardoella almost everyday and when I see one on the body I kill it." If you can't see any of the riccardoella now they might either have been eaten by the hypoaspis or they all stay inside the breathing hole - that's probably impossible to tell at this time. I suggest you observe your snail for any sign of increased activity, which would definately be positive. Visible dead riccardoella would even be better but are probably hard to detect inside the breathing hole. Do not be too disappointed if you see riccardoella reappearing on your snail's body! Almost everyone who used the "spray therapy" had to use it more than once. For my snails it did work instantly and although I really was afraid of hatching eggs, riccardoella never came back. |
|
an
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
|
Post by an on Oct 23, 2023 15:35:41 GMT
When I wrote that I was seeing them it was about 5 times, then I only saw them occasionally and they would be near the hole, impossible to catch. And as soon as i would pick the snail up they would just retreat. Now physically I haven’t seen any mites in a week or so but I know they’re still there because the snail is losing weight.
I am worried about the riccardoella dying and decomposing inside the snail...what is that going to do who knows! I didn’t see any fall off.
Last night the snail went for a walk but then went to sleep, she didn’t eat but she drank a lot of water.
And on the hypoaspis note...last batch lasted a little longer than 2 weeks. This batch is less than a week and I already see less moving around. At this point I’m just keeping them in the box with the snail but not hoping for them to save the day to be honest with you.
I lost 2 snails, one of which, the last one, I really grew attached to very much.
This survivor so far, has lost weight...and last night I noticed that the side of the mantle by the breathing hole is detached from the shell from losing weight. If the mantle stays as it is, I believe it can repair..but if the snail continues to shrink and mantle detaches more, then it’s not a good sign.
I don’t have this loupe you mentioned but I do have good eyesight, but the breathing hole especially since last night went back even further...I would post a pic but I don’t know how to do that. Could you explain it to me please?
Also, I’m sorry to bother you every day with messages, I thank you so much and I find your help and your suggestions very important.
I am curious to see what happens Tonight with the snail. And if I see any riccardoella...cos now I haven’t seen any for about a week after seeing them those times when I mentioned it to you
|
|
|
|
Post by Rasplutin on Oct 23, 2023 18:22:57 GMT
As far as I know there is no way to upload images directly to this forum - you have to upload them somewhere and then LINK images to your post, as described here: petsnails.proboards.com/thread/13168/adding-images-posts-pictures-showI have checked the last image hoster described in that post, it worked OK and there was no need to register - therefore I recommend you try this hoster first: imgbox.com/I hope we can keep your snail from losing more weight! |
|
an
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
|
Post by an on Oct 24, 2023 9:15:53 GMT
imgbox.com/RF1qJc3QThat’s the snail now. You can see a little bit the mantle is detached on the side of the hole. Treatment has not worked. When I picked her up I saw the riccardoella. I killed 3, the others went back inside. I did another treatment. I don’t understand how can these bastards be so strong. Again I saw a hypoaspis walking by a riccardoella and do nothing and then died on the body of the snail probably drowning in the mucus. I will try again bc at this point I don’t know what to do anymore I don’t understand how a poison cannot kill them. And if you can visualise the pic you can see there’s no riccardoella visible bc the bastards stay inside so maybe if they were out they would die. There’s another possibility. Maybe when I spray, the spray doesn’t stay in the bowl bc it bounces back and comes out. I don’t know how to avoid that so I don’t know if there’s any fumes inside.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rasplutin on Oct 24, 2023 10:13:58 GMT
I can see the pic!
You should try again, maybe use the spray from a closer range so that more of it stays inside the bowl.
"My" spray is kind of oily, if yours is different then try to adjust the procedure - as long as no liquid drops onto the snail, everything should be OK under these circumstances.
A riccardoella outside the hole would be a good candidate for testing the spray, but there is probably no time for this.
I have just read the report of another spray-user and he used tissue paper to spray on and then put these papers beside the snail. Theat should ensure a high enough concentration.
Another issue might be a snail closing its breathing hole. Snails sometimes hold their breath.
That's why you should either watch the breathing hole (if possible) or let the snail inhale for (at least?) 3 minutes.
|
|
an
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
|
Post by an on Oct 25, 2023 10:04:20 GMT
I am going to repeat the procedure, I will add the tissue. My spray is kinda powdery if it makes sense, when it touches the bowl it goes white like solid. I have read other posts of yours as well while looking for other things that may kill these mites. And nothing else on the internet, only this forum and not much on riccardoella either.
The snail woke up last night and was very hungry and ate lots of cucumber, I offered other things and protein snail food but only cucumber did it. I believe I don’t have much time. I also start to panic about all of my other snails...I can’t believe it’s so hard to kill these mites. Also if the spray worked for some, it must work all the times, it either works or it doesn’t...so maybe it’s just a matter of persisting bc there are more mites or more eggs. It’s just a pain that they don’t come out. My snail is really weak, she was eating and was looking at me with one eye...I believe they see more than shadows...they must see more than shadows by the way they react to things and avoid obstacles and move in the dark...so she was looking at me with the eye...I believe they trust you, after a while...I can see it in the behaviour..and thinking that I can’t help just is soul destroying...
I’m doing another treatment as soon as I can. I also have another can which contains 1R-trans phenothrin and prallethrin but it’s for flies and wasps...I may try that too.
|
|
an
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
|
Post by an on Oct 25, 2023 10:08:42 GMT
Also....did you know about this? It’s a screenshot I took while researching imgbox.com/SdvRVssg |
|
|
|
Post by Rasplutin on Oct 25, 2023 13:00:39 GMT
Also....did you know about this? It’s a screenshot I took while researching Do you mean the part where he states: "There is no treatment"? I do not accept that as a general answer. And the part about bacteria should not worry us at this moment. Here is the url of that forum, I will check it later: arachnoboards.com/threads/snails-with-mites.329842/#post-3281982I already knew that there were at least two kinds of riccardoella but from what I have read they are closely related. I cannot imagine that the spray sometimes works and sometimes does not - if this is the case then there must be a reason (which I cannot imagine right now). OK, I have used a different spray than you did, so there is room for errors. If you can get hold of any mites, you should probably isolate them in a small container and see how they react to the spray (or any spray you are able to get). On the other hand we do not have unlimited time and we can't do a "clinical study" to check for all pros and cons and possible side effects. If you have a new spray, even if it's intended to work against flies an wasps you should test it on riccardoella (if possible on isolated mites, without snail). |
|
an
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
|
Post by an on Oct 25, 2023 13:45:24 GMT
Sorry I was rushing to work and wasn’t clear...no about the part that says about pseudomonas...and having to wear mask and gloves.... I spoke this morning to a friend that works on pest control and he told me where to find the ingredient you used. At least in uk. This could serve others too so the product is cimetrol super and it contains cypermethrin. Link to buy in uk if someone reads is www.removepests.co.uk/products/cimetrol-super-rfu-300ml I’m not sure if I have the time to wait for delivery. I agree with you I don’t accept that there’s no cure. I think your treatment works, the room for error is the different ingredient. It’s this cypermethrin. So me having permethrin is not the same. |
|
an
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
|
Post by an on Oct 31, 2023 13:08:55 GMT
Hi! Sorry for lack of updates. I was unwell for few days and luckily the last remaining snail went to deep sleep during those days and so I let it be because I couldn’t do anything else different and also I really didn’t feel well.
However...last night the snail woke up, slimmer, very thirsty and a little hungry..
Last week I ordered that product I linked, with cypermethrin like yours. Even tho I paid for express delivery £8! I only received it today, so I promptly took the chance of doing the first treatment, as conveniently the snail was still awake. I want to remind whoever reads this post that permethrin and cypermethrin is VERY toxic to cats, and I have 2 so I went outdoors far away for the snail treatment so to avoid contamination by mistake.
I did 2 treatments one after the other, 2 mins each of fumes, and snail seemed ok but as soon as I finished she retracted so something wasn’t right for the snail.
There’s no mites visible, they’re all inside and I struggle to see the breathing hole properly now because the snail has lost too much weight, but no mites on the body, so it remains to see what happens.
I will probably repeat treatment tomorrow if I can wake snail up.
This is truly my last chance. The snail is very debilitated and the mites are comfortable inside the lung so I’m hoping the fumes go in the bloodstream of the snail and somehow affect the mites.
I went to my outdoor area yesterday and found 4 more dead snails, 100% succumbed to mites. I’m seriously worried for my colony, and can’t stop blaming myself for having rescued stray snails that obviously carried the mites. In my experience so far it’s more often that the mites are inside and not visible even for a month of quarantine so you think the snail is fine but then all of a sudden the mites appeared, this is what happened to me, even after close inspection and referring to this website where they said you would see white mites on the body, I didn’t..and ruined my colony because if I initially saw an infected snail I wouldn’t have introduced it with my others. Then the deaths started, then the common symptoms, then finally saw some snails with mites, then it was desperation. And now it’s war. However I’m failing as these bugs seem to have super powers. Nothing works. So this is really my last chance. This is a very expensive mites killer so I’m so much hoping against all hope that it finally works.
I intend to make a proper exhaustive post about my experience with riccardoella and what it looks like and what it does not look like, and hope it can help someone else one day.
I will be back after more treatment in the next couple days.
|
|
