Slow And Steady Goes Florida’s Fight Against Giant Snails
September 9, 2015 According to Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, more than 159,000 giant African land snails (GALS) have been eliminated in Florida since the giant disease-carrying, stucco-eating invasive mollusk was found in Florida four years ago.
Photo courtesy of FDACS-DPI
Originally from East Africa, the GALS, Achatina fulica, is one of the largest land snails in the world, growing up to 8 inches in length. Each snail can live as long as 9 years. GALS are difficult to eradicate because they have no natural predator and they reproduce exponentially, up to 1,200 more snails per year.
In addition to consuming more than 500 varieties of plants, giant African land snails are capable of destroying structures by consuming plaster and stucco and have been known to carry a parasite that can cause serious diseases in humans such as meningitis.
“Giant African land snails threaten the crops, structures and residents of Florida, and we’ve gone to great lengths to find and eradicate them,” said Putnam.
The eradication program has been very effective, shown by the fact that the number of snails collected weekly has dropped from several thousand at one point into the single digits. In addition, the mortality rate of discovered snails is close to 100%. Of the 29 core areas where the snail has been found, the department has not found a live snail in 21 of the core areas in the past year.
♦ Can Another Invasive Pest Get Rid Of GALS? ♦
Program officials continue to refine eradication techniques, including researching alternative bait treatments, inspecting lawn maintenance companies and solid waste facilities, continuing public outreach and education activities, and developing experimental trap designs.
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