One business owner who spoke to FOX 13 said his business falls within that quarantine zone – and on any given day he could see up to 30 of the land snails. "The phenotype in Pasco County has a creamy white flesh as opposed to the grey-ish brown flesh of the phenotype that was eradicated in the Miami area," said Erin M. The state first eradicated the pest in 1975 after detecting it in 1969 and most recently eradicated the pest in 2021 after detecting it in 2011 in Miami-Dade County, according to the USDA. They can have about 1,200 eggs every year. They are also one of the world's largest land snails.
It is able to reproduce several more times after mating once. Each snail has both female and male reproductive organs, so they can reproduce rapidly. The snails remain a threat in Hawaii and the Caribbean after their eradication in Florida in 2021. It consumes at least 500 types of plants, causes structural damage to plaster and stucco structures, and carries a parasitic nematode that can lead to meningitis in humans. The Giant African land snails can cause significant damage to tropical environments and pose a serious health risk to humans by carrying the parasite rat lungworm known to cause meningitis. Hodges said, adding that it’s illegal to have it in the state. What I would tell anybody is please research anything you are going to purchase as a pet," Dr. "I think the biggest thing is…the snail is quite attractive. The snails are quite popular in pet trades. "They need human help to move to new areas." What are Giant African land snails? "The good thing is they move pretty slow," Dr. The confirmation of the return of the Giant African land snail came on June 23.Īfter, that area was quarantined, meaning residents are not able to move any soil, plants, or yard waste from that area. The snails are transported to the University of Florida for researchers to compare this population to previous ones that were eradicated in the state.Īccording to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the recent snail sighting was first confirmed by a Pasco County Master Gardener, who found the almost 8-inch-long snail in the New Port Richey area – specifically in an area near Massachusetts Avenue and Rowan Road. MORE: Pasco County residents say more invasive snails spotted in quarantined area The pesticide interferes with the snail’s mucus production ability, thereby reducing their digestion and mobility, which makes them susceptible to dehydration, per the website.Īfter eating the metaldehyde, the snail often seeks hiding places, then becomes inactive and begins to die within days, the department said. It is a pesticide used to control snails that’s approved for use in many crops, fruit trees, avocado and citrus orchards, berry plants, banana plants, and in limited residential areas, officials said. Environmental Protection Agency for residential use. Since finding the snails, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has been out to the area several times to spray it with snail bait – described as a metaldehyde-based molluscicide labeled by the U.S. Leetown Science Center researchers are studying optimal ways to test for the presence of the rat lungworm on this species as well as conducting a population genetics study on this species.Expand How can officials eradicate the Giant African land snail? They also are known to consume over 500 species of plants and pose a food security risk, especially given the significant agriculture industry in Florida. African land snails are known to be the host of multiple species of parasites and bacteria including but not limited to the rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) and salmonella (Salmonella enterica). This snail is a species of concern due to its high degree of invasiveness and its potential to harbor zoonotic pathogens. This allows them to more easily expand their range northward, especially during years of warmer winters. Although the current range is limited to the southern latitudes of Florida, this snail can withstand freezing and go into hibernation for as much as a year. Since 2011, these snails have been found in Miami, Florida. Originally from East Africa, the giant African land snail (Achatina fulica), has been established throughout the Indo-Pacific Basin, including the Hawaiian Islands.