Functionality and use of design
The buried trap attracts snails with a concentrated odor bait making mollusks fall into a container, surrounded by a cooper strip from where they cannot get out because it gives them a minimum electric shot.
If snails don’t fall into the container they dragged up to the cover and stay adhered to the trap, because they find a perfect ambient to rest, protected from direct sun.
Different colors used: allows the generation of a codification that shows the date of planting and determinates the date of bait changing for each trap.
Use of brightening colors: helps to recognize the location of the trap.
How did this design improve life?
The main idea of the Snail Housetrap is to put together two activities that had never been connected before: the extermination of massive plague using toxic products, and the recollection of soil snails as a raw material.
This product avoids the use of toxic baits that may contaminate the environment, by using natural and concentrated baits that attract the mollusk. Also, the "Snail Housetrap” replaces the individual manual recollection, by establishing a massive one.
Drawbacks of life improvement
The bait range of attraction could vary depending on the conditions of use.
It works 100% effectibly in soil, but not in grass where the efficiency diminishes.
Research and need
First I had to study the soil snail characteristics, its likes and dislikes (ideal habitat and nutritional habits).
Then I made an experimental study to determinate the most efficient natural bait to attract snail. As a result, it turned out that the best natural bait was beer.
In addition I made a study to determinate the action principle that guarantees the capture of the mollusk.
I understood that to made mollusks fall off, I needed to maintain its feet covered with particles (ex: soil, water) so the snail wouldn’t be able to adhere directly to the surface, falling down.
Finally, I determinated that in order to have a more fluently displacement of the snail, its tentacles shouldn´t touch anything so it wouldn´t stop moving.
Designed by
Andrea Arrau García - Chile
