I tested it in one bed a few years ago...completely ineffective as a slug deterrent. In fact, it didn't live up to any of the claims for use as mulch; I wouldn't use it again.

great stuff after a rain .. the smell is incredible ... until the mold hits it if it stays too wet ..

it breaks down too fast IMHO ...

and black mulch in sun .. may as well put your plants in an oven ...

i gave up on it ...

ken

Mold is definately a problem. I worked for a large landscape management co. in Atlanta years ago and the 'powers that be' decided to use this stuff on all of our annual beds. The smell was wonderful. It was also supposed to kinda harden and create a sort of 'shell' on the soil to prevent weeds. Seems like it did create the shell but all I really remember is the mold. It had the 'powers that be' all dancing making up excuses to all of our clients.

I bought 2 bags of the stuff at $9.50 a bag and tossed it around some plants that were taking more than their fair share of abuse from snails and slugs. I live in Santa Barbara, CA, a coastal area that is currently suffering from what we refer to as the "gloom" - a dense fog pattern running from May through June of each year. We haven't seen the sun for weeks. Very bleak. Someone tried to jump off of a bridge the other day. He must have been using cocoa shell mulch as well. It developed a thick layer of fungus within 5 days of application. I doubt that it is successful as a snail/splug deterrent under these circumstances. I sprayed a solution of ammonia (10%) and coffee (90%) over the infected mulch which seems to have temporarily neutralized the mildew problem. Moreover, snails and slugs hate this liquid. Perhaps cocoa mulch is effective in dry climates, such as in the Southwest, but I do not recommend it for high humidity or rainy regions.

there is a hosta forum, where this subject comes up .. ad nauseum ... there are FAQs on point..

all mulch is HOME for slugs .... they hide in it during the day ...

research the use of 10% ammonia or plain ole vinegar in a spray tank .... spraying the underside of the hosta and letting it run down the stalks ...... pickling vinegar is cheap and sold by the gallon for a buck of two ... grocery store ....

good luck

ken