New molluscicides in control of freshwater snails – intermediate hosts for causative agents of fascioliasis, paramphistomatosis and orientobilharziasis

The article presents the results of studying the new and affordable means for freshwater snail control. It was found that mineral fertilizers – ammonium sulfate at a concentration of 0.05–0.2%, and potassium chloride at a concentration of 0.2–0.3% cause the death of snails of the genera Lymnae and Planorbis in 24–72 hours after application. Hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 1:40000 and potassium permanganate at a concentration of 1:4 also kill snails within 24–48 hours. Commonly available products also have pronounced molluscicidal action: table salt (NaCl) and baking soda (NaHCO3) at concentrations of 0.3–0.5%. Changing the pH in the habitat of snails, i.e. waters in snail biotopes, towards acidity (3.8–6.2) and alkalinity (8.0–8.4) also result in the death of snails, and the optimal environment is with pH = 7.8. These means are safe for animals and the environment, as evidenced by the results of experiments carried out on sheep, which were administered with molluscicide solutions forcibly using a probe in an amount of 1.5 liters and by free drinking for 3 days.