Florida is planning to eradicate the African giant land snail. The U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as “one of most destructive snails in the entire world”.
USDA states that it is a highly invasive agricultural pest and can eat over 500 varieties of plants.
Achatina (Lissachatina), fulica was recently discovered by a master gardener in New Port Richey on Florida’s Gulf Coast. On June 23, the state agriculture department confirmed that the snail sighting was confirmed.
According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, “these snails could be disastrous to Florida agriculture and natural resources as they cause extensive damage in tropical and subtropical areas.”
Florida has had the species eradicated twice in Florida, in 1975 and 2021. They are expensive to eradicate.
The snail is a natural African species and “they are considered serious pests to agriculture in the United States.” They also carry the rat lungworm parasite, which can cause meningitis in people. They also eat plaster and stucco structures if they don’t get enough calcium from the soil.
The potential dangers to humans, the environment, and agriculture that the snails pose are described by Florida’s agriculture commissioner in 2018.
USDA states that the snail can produce approximately 1,200 eggs per year. The department states that they can reach eight inches in length, and almost five inches in width.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has established a quarantine area in Pasco County.
FDACS stated that its Division of Plant Industry will begin a treatment for “this detrimental pest” on Wednesday. It will use a pesticide in order to slow down the snails’ movement.
It is illegal to sell, distribute, or ship these types of snails across state borders. Officials ask you to contact your state’s department of agriculture or USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in your State if you spot a large African snail.
