2fer: 1) Update on snail/beer problem/solution. 2) Lounge, settle non-bet/quarrel about electricity

[UTUSN]

1) I had heard for years that garden snails could be de-pested by treating them to free beer, where they would imbibe and therein *drown." So I tried it, using (aluminum?) cupcake forms, masking taping to the tree/bush trunks where the snails were glued. I expected them the next morning to be drowned. Results: Not ONE of them moved from being stuck on the plant. Are they DEAD? Are they sucking the life out of the plants? Anyway, I have done the rounds of ripping off all the masking taped cupcake contraptions. The only casualties were some bugs who, indeed, imbibed and died. Not the snails.

2) I've always readily admitted to my ignorance, but also willingness to seek knowledge especially from Lounge. So about electricity: When you flip the switch *OFF* does it cut the current? Iow, there's this motion sensor bulb thing that yet has to be activated by switch for On and for Off. I subject myself to trekking over nights to flip "On" and in the A.M. to flip "Off." A local know-it-all who has had some electrical training sez I can just leave the switch "On" permanently. I contend that this leaves current passing and therefore $$$. Know-it-all sez not the case. I will accept Lounge knowledge.

[drray23]

1. no current flows thru the circuit if that other bulb that is sensor activated is not lit up.

Current follows the path of least resistance. If I understand correctly, you have a light that is sensor activated but is also on a switch. That sensor is basically a switch as well. If its not activated, the circuit is open and has infinite resistance. No current will flow through.

[UTUSN]

3. O.K., thanks, so no $$$$$ flowing when the switch is still "On", if I understand! So I'm wrong!1

[Wounded Bear]

10. Not totally true, but close enough...

There is a slight amount of current flowing to keep the sensor activated, but it would typically be in the milliamp or even microamp range. During the time the sensor breaks the circuit to the light, the charge to your electric bill would be a couple of cents per month.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. I've heard of the beer thing for slugs, but not snails. I've also heard it is more of an urban

legend and not particularly effective.

For (2), not sure what you are getting at....but I think on or off, you are talking pennies.

[drray23]

4. regarding the cost of a light bulb left on:

If its a 60 Watt bulb, then it will use 60*24*365/1000= 525 kWh per year assuming its lit 24 hours a day.

The average cost of kWh in the US is 12 cents. So, it would cost you about $63.00 per year.

In reality, you keep your bulbs on maybe 3-4 hours a day during the evening (more in winter, less in summer) so a single 60 W bulb cost about $15.00 a year to run. I can see that if you have 6-7 lights on all the time in the evening at home, it could add up over a year.


The OP has a different situation in which he has a sensor attached to his light and also a switch on the same circuit. As long as the sensor does not turn the light on, he is not using any current since the sensor keeps the circuit open.

[sl8]

5. The motion detector itself will draw current if the switch is closed.

I don't know how accurate these figures are, but they're probably in the ballpark:

https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/The-Simple-Dollar/2010/0426/Do-motion-activated-light-switches-save-money

[UTUSN]

7. Thanks, so current *IS* passing when the manual switch is "On" (whatever the low cost).

[drray23]

8. so, they don't have an infinite resistance, they draw 1Watt according to your article.

that would be 1*24*365/1000*12/100=$1.05 per year Its well worth the convenience of keeping it on..

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. I've used beer to get rid of slugs on hostas.

The slugs will crawl into a low saucer of beer placed on the ground, which is the only way I've ever heard of this being done. It might not work for snails, or if in cups on trees.

[Kali]

11. the snails are probably in a state of dormancy

sort of hibernating like bears. if you see slime trails in the morning (looks kind of like dried snot on things) then that means they are moving around at night. if they don't move they are probably waiting for better conditions (moisture, temperature?) or maybe they are indeed dead.

I found this one last fall in the middle of a desert area more than a mile from any kind of water or moist environment, it was dead. Probably parked into dormancy 4 or 5 months before when it was rainy and then dried out completely since it never rained again.

[UTUSN]

12. ThanksThan, good info. I gave up on the beer (for yhe snails)

& validating your info, there are no slime trails.

Now I'm stuck with 5 cans of the cheapest, hot beer!1

[UTUSN]

13. Since this thread has briefly bounced up, I'm dying of curiosity

about "Name Removed" - whatever did he say and what did I do to provoke?!1 Curiosity is gourmet eating me up!1