A county in Florida has enacted a quarantine after discovering that giant African land snails have invaded the area.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) website stated, “On June 23, 2022, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) confirmed the detection of giant African land snail in the New Port Richey area of Pasco County. This detection was reported by a Pasco County Master Gardener.”
The statement continues, “FDACS’s Division of Plant Industry has begun to survey the area, enacted a quarantine and will begin treatment for this detrimental pest on June 29, 2022. FDACS will treat properties with a metaldehyde-based molluscicide (snail bait). The treatment is labeled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for residential use.”
As if there weren't enough creepy crawlers lurking through Florida, the giant African land snail returned to the Sunshine State's ecosystem last week after being eradicated in 2021. https://t.co/BMJPKGZPLw
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) July 6, 2022
According to the website, the snail is one of the most dangerous as it consumes at least 500 different types of plants.
Additionally, they pose a risk to humans by carrying the parasite rat lungworm, known to cause meningitis.
Christina Chitty, a public information director at FDACS, told CNN the population in the Florida county likely came from the illegal pet trade.
“The goal is to eradicate” the snails, Chitty said.
She added, “It is a comprehensive and extensive process.”
Residents are warned by the website that it is “unlawful to move the giant African land snail or a regulated article, including but not limited to, plants, plants parts, plants in soil, soil, yard waste, debris, compost or building materials, within, through or from a quarantine area without a compliance agreement.”
CNN noted Florida previously dealt with an invasion of the snails In 2011 when they were discovered in Miami-Dade County.
