Aussie Finch Forum

I have 2 problems at the moment. The first is my potted grass that is just seeding for the first time (Poitta, can't remember if it's Johnson or Guinnea that I got from you). It's looking fantastic and is over 2 metres tall. Have just started being able to pick some each day, but noticed yesterday that some of the heads looked like they were half eaten and more obvious today. Don't have any local birds that I would have thought would target the plant. Have noticed a flock of silver eyes the last couple of days but only think of them as eating insects and fruit. Anyone any ideas?
Second problem and unrelated to birds is my tiny patch of lawn which is being decimated in a patch around 3 metres diameter and discovered the culprits to be a plague of tiny cone shaped snails like aquarium snails. Reluctantly put some snail pellets down today but would appreciate a better solution. They've just about eaten it down to bare dirt in this area. Once again would appreciate some ideas.

Hi Redwing, I would say that half eaten grass as it looks has actually already fallen. It will while it is still green. Also it likes to be fertilised especially nitrates.
Dont know about the lawn snails...try the pellets if they turn upside down that should do the trick.

Couple of links there for you to see if you can find the culprit and the remedy.
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/objtwr/impor ... lendar.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/objtwr/impor ... in4705.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Redwing its guinea grass..to much nitrates macksta can cause it to dry out in the pot a bit os slow release fert will be fine or some tonic like seasol or charlie carp... as for the snail they love beer....try a beer trap , which is container in the ground with some beer in it, but as you live in south perth you may find some of the locals licking your lawn.... .... . pete

Thanks everyone. Sure my Guinea grass is not dropping. The plant itself looks fantastic, but some of the seed heads look like they've been chewed or shreded like the aviary birds do to fresh seed heads.
The snails turned out to be 'small pointed snails' or cochicella barbara and the strategies the ag. department suggested were mainly for farm infestations and next to useless. Am sure the neighbours would not be happy if I decided to get a flock of guinea fowl or even ducks to keep the numbers under control! They don't seem interested in snail pellets, so will try the beer baits as well as talking to my Italian neighbour to see if she's got any tips before they invade the whole neighbourhood. I was truly amazed at the numbers and now the damage they've done makes sense