Invasive, Destructive Giant Land Snails Puts Florida County Under Quarantine

Giant land snails, the destructive mollusks that caused the quarantine in one Florida county, are once again spotted in the area.

Giant African land snails can grow up to nearly eight inches long and are roughly the size of a fist.

A partial quarantine has been imposed in one county of Florida due to the recent finding of invasive species there.

Pasco County Infestation

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) verified that the destructive snails were discovered in the Pasco County neighborhood of New Port Richey.

Late in June, the group imposed a quarantine on a portion of the county, prohibiting locals from bringing any snails or any soil, plants, or yard waste into or out of the area.

It consumes at least 500 different plant species, which means it could seriously harm the state's agriculture and natural areas.

The snail can harm plaster and stucco buildings.

They also have rat lungworm, a parasite that can lead to meningitis.

It's thought that the enormous African land snail originated from domestic pets that were released into the wild.

They may have unintentionally entered the country while traveling on cargo from other nations, according to speculation.

One snail can lay eggs as often as once every few months, producing about 2,500 eggs in a year. They can reach lengths of up to eight inches and a diameter of about five inches.

Seven to nine spirals or whorls make up the shell of an adult snail. At least half of the animal's length is covered by dark stripes on its shell, which is primarily brown in color.

The Snails Return

In the Sunshine State, snails have been a problem in the past as well

. The first giant African land snails were found in 1969, and they were exterminated in 1975. They reappeared in 2011 and disappeared ten years later, in 2021. The last live snail was gathered in Miami-Dade County before this most recent visit in December 2017.

Hawaii and a few Caribbean islands are currently home to snails as well.

Although it can survive in cold climates, the snail thrives in tropical and subtropical areas.

When exposed to cold, it slows down and almost hibernates as the temperature rises.

The giant mollusk (Achatina Fulica) is native to East Africa.

Lack of Enemies

A master gardener recently discovered the snail in Florida, Treehugger reported.

Any sightings of the large invaders are to be reported by Floridians.

The local properties are being treated by FDACS with the pesticide metaldehyde. The United States has approved the pesticide. Snails and slugs can be controlled in residential areas with the help of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Metaldehyde is being used by FDACS to treat nearby properties. The U.S. has given the pesticide its approval.

Slugs and snails are to be controlled in residential areas by the Environmental Protection Agency.