How to Kill a Drill Snail

Save oysters from the wrath of drill snails.

Drill snails, also known as oyster drills, are predators to shelled creatures. Drill snails grow up to 1-inch long, and are found in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean year-round. Drill snails get their name by drilling holes into oyster and clam shells to eat the soft body inside. A large number of drill snails can kill entire populations of oysters and clams. It is important to kill the drill snails early to save oyster and clam populations.

Things You'll Need

• Protective gloves
• Protective goggles
• Protective mask
• Carbaryl powder
• Disposable spoon
• Plastic bucket

Instructions

1. Wear protective gloves, goggles and mask when handling Carbaryl.

2. Pour 2 tbsp. of Carbaryl and 4 cups of water into the plastic bucket.

3. Mix the solution with a disposable spoon. Carbaryl is toxic to humans if ingested.

4. Place the drill snail into the bottom of the solution. Let the drill snail absorb the Carbaryl for up to three days. The size and health of the drill snails affect absorption rate.

5. Dispose of the dead drill snail in the garbage. The dead drill snail contains Carbaryl, which is a pesticide.

Tips & Warnings

• Drill snails are on the tide flat. Their egg capsules appear during April to July. They are yellow and are bigger than grains of rice. They normally cluster together.

References

• University of Rhode Island; Oyster Drills; 1998
• Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Biological Laboratory; Control of Oyster Drills; Cylde L. Mackenzie, Jr.
• University of Washington: Oyster Drills
• University of Minnesota: Sevin (Carbaryl)

Resources

• University of Rhode Island; Control Strategies for Japanese Oyster Drills; Kate Henson, et al.