Snails have become a problem in some Florida Panhandle citrus groves. In large numbers, they will plug irrigation emitters.
Photo courtesy of UF/IFAS
In recent years, snails have become a burden in the Panhandle, particularly for row crops such as corn, cotton, soybeans, and peanuts. Snails haven’t appeared to cause damage to plants, but have mainly been a problem at harvest time due to the sheer numbers of them. Recently, snails have become an issue for citrus growers as well.
The main problem for citrus growers has been clogged micro-sprinkler irrigation emitters. Several species of snails are present in Florida, but the species we are seeing large populations of in our area has been identified as Bulimulus sporadicus. They are tan colored with a pointed shell.
Mature snails range from ¾ inch to 1-inch long. This species was first reported in Florida in 2009 and was introduced from the West Indies. Since then, populations have been reported in several Florida counties as well as other states including Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.
UF/IFAS Extension agents conducted a survey last spring and found large populations of this species in several Panhandle counties ranging from Escambia to Jefferson.
Snail Management Tips
There are cultural and chemical means that can help to manage snail populations. Here are a few tips:
- Snails favor high humidity and take shelter in places such as vegetation, mulch, or leaf litter that provide them with a moist environment. Keeping the ground under the tree canopy free of weeds will help reduce their habitat.
- Tree wraps may also provide shelter for snails. Removing tree wraps as soon as practical also might help reduce numbers.
- Snails can be managed chemically with molluscicides. These products target slugs and snails, and are different than insecticides.
- Specially formulated molluscicide baits are available and labeled for use in citrus.
- Apply baits after a site is watered or irrigated.
- Regardless of the brand, baits should be scattered thinly in and around vegetation, so as to make it unlikely that pets or wildlife will ingest too much of the bait.
- Snail baits do not require a restricted-use pesticide license.
Snail Bait Options
| Active Ingredient (AI)
Trade Name |
Maximum Single Application Rate | Re-Application Interval | Applications Per Season | Pre-Harvest Interval | Label Comments |
| METALDEHYDE, 4% | 25 lbs./A | 14 Days | 6 | 0 | Various products and formulations of AI available. Apply in a band under tree canopy, by hand or with commercial application equipment designed for banded application of granular products. TOXIC TO PETS AND WILDLIFE. |
| IRON PHOSPHATE + SPINOSAD | 20 to 44 lbs./A | 6 Days | 3 | Do not apply within one day of harvest | Various products and formulations of AI available. Can apply using granular fertilizer spreader. Do not apply more than a total of 0.45 lb. AI Spinosad (including foliar uses) per acre per crop. OMRI listed. |
| SODIUM FERRIC EDTA | 5 to 20 lbs./A | 14 Days | Label does not state | 0 | Various products and formulations of AI available. Apply in a 6-inch, circular band around the base of the plants to be protected. For older trees, spread the bait around the base of the trees to intercept slugs and snails traveling to the trunk. Can apply using granular fertilizer spreader. |