Snail slime, also known as snail mucus, is a sticky substance that snails secrete to help them move and adhere to surfaces. While it can feel gross to encounter snail slime in the garden or on the sidewalk, this mucus actually has some amazing properties. Understanding what breaks down snail slime can help both gardeners looking to remove it from plants and researchers interested in harnessing its potential benefits.
What is snail slime made of?
Snail slime is composed primarily of mucopolysaccharides, along with smaller amounts of lipids, proteins, and metal ions. The key mucopolysaccharides in snail slime are:
- Glycosaminoglycans – These long unbranched polysaccharides give snail slime its thick, viscous texture.
- Proteoglycans – These proteins bonded to glycosaminoglycans help form long molecular chains.
- Hyaluronic acid – This helps snail slime retain water and provides viscosity and elasticity.
The proteins in snail mucus, such as collagen and elastin, also contribute to the elastic properties of the slime. The exact composition varies slightly between species, but this mucopolysaccharide matrix is the primary component of all snail slime secretions.
Why is snail slime sticky and hard to remove?
The polysaccharide matrix of snail slime makes it extremely viscous and sticky. The long glycoprotein chains become heavily interlinked, forming a cohesive matrix that adheres well to surfaces. This allows the snail to firmly attach its foot as it slowly moves along.
The numerous hydrogen bonds within the matrix also cause the slime to exhibit thixotropic properties. This means its viscosity reduces when shaken or agitated, but then quickly returns to a gel state. This allows snails to slide over their own slime trail smoothly.
The water-retaining hyaluronic acid also makes snail slime resistant to drying out. All these factors combine to make snail mucus incredibly sticky, elastic, and difficult to remove once deposited on a surface.
Household solutions that break down snail slime
While snail slime is stubborn, there are a few common household solutions that can help dissolve it:
Salt
Table salt (sodium chloride) works well to dissolve snail slime. Salt breaks down the mucopolysaccharide matrix and disrupts the hydrogen bonding. This decreases viscosity so the slime can be more easily scraped or rinsed away.
Vinegar
White vinegar or other acids also help break down the mucus. Acids disrupt the hydrogen bonding and cause the glycoprotein chains to contract. Just let vinegar sit on the slime for a few minutes before wiping away.
Baking soda
Baking soda or other abrasives can help mechanically scrape dried slime off surfaces. Make a paste with water and use a scrubbing motion to remove the mucus. Baking soda is mildly alkaline which also helps dissolve snail slime.
Soap and water
Dish soap combined with warm water is reasonably effective at removing snail slime. The surfactants in soap help dissolve the mucus while the water washes it away. Scrubbing helps dislodge any remaining sticky residue.
Alcohol
High-proof alcohol like isopropyl alcohol can dissolve snail mucus. The alcohol breaks hydrogen bonds and dehydrates the mucus, making it less sticky. Be sure to rinse afterwards with water.
Commercial products that remove snail slime
In addition to household solutions, there are some commercial products designed to eliminate snail and slug slime:
Enzyme cleaners
Enzyme-based cleaners use proteases and carbohydrases to digest proteins and carbohydrates in mucus. Popular options include Bio-Clean and Natural Chemistry Natural Slug & Snail Killer.
Citrus oil cleaners
Citrus oil cleaners contain d-limonene extracted from orange peels. This citrus solvent breaks down lipids and dissolves mucus residue well.
Hydrogen peroxide cleaners
Cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide can oxidize and dissolve mucopolysaccharide chains. Peroxide-based options include Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner and Skyla SHC-122.
Sodium hypochlorite cleaners
Bleach and other cleaners containing sodium hypochlorite react with proteins and carbohydrates in mucus. They effectively degrade snail slime but can also damage plants or other surfaces.
Industrial and laboratory methods
In manufacturing or research settings, there are some other chemical methods used to dissolve snail or slug slime residues:
Alkaline hydrolysis
Strong alkaline solutions containing sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide can rapidly hydrolyze and dissolve mucopolysaccharides.
Acid hydrolysis
Hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid solutions can cleave glycosidic bonds and degrade glycoproteins.
Enzyme digestion
Purified enzymes like papain, pectinase, and cellulase are extremely effective at digesting snail mucus components.
Ultrasonication
Exposing snail slime to high-frequency sound waves causes cavitation and shearing forces that help dissolve the mucus.
Preventing snail slime
To avoid having to remove snail slime, there are some preventative measures you can take:
- Remove snail and slug hiding spots like boards, debris, and dense vegetation
- Create barriers of diatomaceous earth, copper tape, or abrasives
- Hand pick visible snails and slugs and dispose of them
- Trap snails with beer or yeast bait
- Use molluscicides containing iron phosphate or metaldehyde
This will help reduce snail and slug populations and limit mucus secretions in areas you need to keep clear of slime.
Uses for dissolved snail mucus
Once dissolved, snail mucus has some surprising uses. The glycoproteins contain beneficial compounds studies have shown to promote wound healing, tissue regeneration, and anti-aging effects.
Uses for dissolved snail mucus include:
- Wound dressings and bandages
- Creams, soaps, and cosmetics
- Anti-wrinkle treatments
- Medical adhesive tapes
- Hydrogel patches
Snail slime may seem messy and unwanted when it’s left all over your garden. But dissolving it enables us to unlock its unique benefits in a variety of innovative applications.
Conclusion
Snail mucus may be sticky, elastic, and hard to remove, but various household solutions like salt, vinegar, and soap can help dissolve it. Commercial cleaners containing enzymes, citrus oils, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide also effectively degrade snail slime. In manufacturing settings, alkaline or acid solutions, enzymes, and ultrasonication help eliminate it from equipment. Preventing snails from accumulating in the first place is ideal, but understanding how to dissolve their mucus provides options for cleaning it up when needed. Interestingly, once dissolved, purified snail slime has many uses in wound care, cosmetics, and drug delivery thanks to its therapeutic biomolecules.