Giant African Snails: A Foreign Threat to U.S. Agriculture

“Giant African snail” is the common name used to describe several foreign snail species that could become serious agricultural pests in the United States. The giant African snail (Achatina fulica), the giant Ghana tiger snail (Achatina achatina), and the banana rasp snail (Archachatina marginata) are large, terrestrial snails native to Africa.

Scientists consider Achatina fulica to be one of the most damaging land snails in the world. It is known to eat at least 500 different types of plants, including peanut, beans, peas, cucumbers, and melons. If fruits and vegetables are not available, the snails will eat a wide variety of ornamental plants, tree bark, and even paint and stucco on houses.

In 1966, a Miami, FL, boy smuggled three giant African snails into South Florida upon returning from a trip to Hawaii. His grandmother eventually released the snails into her garden. Seven years later, more than 18,000 adult snails were found, along with thousands of eggs. The Florida State eradication program took 10 years at a cost of $1 million.

Giant African snails cause extensive damage to plants in tropical and subtropical agricultural systems as well as the environment. These snails are also known to carry organisms that can cause diseases in
humans. These organisms can be transferred by ingesting improperly cooked snail meat or by handling live snails and allowing their mucus to contact human mucous membranes such as those in the eyes, nose, and mouth.

If your have snails or see signs of damage in your landscape,

Call A1 Super Heroes immediately at (954) 255-2233 to speak

with one of our professionals.

To view this entire article, please visit http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/plant_health/content/printable_version/pa_phgas.pdf