Not So Fast! Giant African Land Snail Pest Found Again in South Florida

Posted by Paul Rusnak|June 21, 2023

Just when you thought the giant African land snail threat in Florida was just a distant memory, the voracious pest has popped up again — this time in South Florida. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and its Division of Plant Industry (DPI) announced that a quarantine and treatment area has been established in specific areas of Broward County in response to previously detected giant African land snails.

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The giant African land snail is a threat to more than 500 varieties of plants and agricultural commodities.
Photo courtesy of FDACS-DPI
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The giant African land snail has been officially eradicated twice in Florida; once in 1975 and again in 2021.

Photo courtesy of FDACS-DPI
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Native to East Africa, the giant African land snail (Lissachatina fulica) is one of the largest land snails in the world, growing up to eight inches in length.

Photo courtesy of FDACS-DPI

Under the quarantine, it is unlawful to move a giant African land snail or a regulated article, including, but not limited to, plants, plant parts, plants in soil, soil, yard waste, debris, compost or building materials, within, through or from the defined quarantine area without a compliance agreement.

In June, a detection of giant African land snail was confirmed in the Miramar area of Broward County, prompting required increased survey. As treatment begins, FDACS will continue to use the same treatment methodology for this pest which is a metaldehyde-based molluscicide (snail bait) and is approved for residential use.

The giant African land snail is one of the most damaging snails in the world, consuming at least 500 different types of plants. The snails pose a large threat to Florida agriculture and natural areas as they cause extensive damage to tropical and subtropical environments. The snails also pose a serious health risk to humans by carrying parasite rat lungworm, known to cause meningitis in humans. Giant African land snails are illegal to import or possess in the U.S. without a permit.

The invasive pest has been eradicated twice in Florida. The first detection was in 1969 and was eradicated in 1975. The most recent official eradication of this pest was in 2021 from an initial detection during 2011 in Miami-Dade County. Last year around this time, FDACS DPI reported a detection in Pasco County.

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The quarantine area starts at the intersection of Pembroke Road and South University Drive; proceeds south on South University Drive to NW 215th St. From this intersection, it proceeds east to SW 62nd Ave. At this intersection, it progresses north to Pembroke Road. The quarantine proceeds west on Pembroke Road to its intersection with South University Dr. The quarantine and treatment areas are illustrated in the map below.

Giant African land snail quarantine map in Broward County, June 2023

Map courtesy of FDACS DPI

For more information about the giant African land snail and related quarantines, visit FDACS.gov/GALS.

Paul Rusnak is the Senior Online Editor of American Vegetable Grower, American Fruit Grower, and Greenhouse Grower magazines, all Meister Media Worldwide brands. He is based in Northeast Florida. See all author stories here.