NEW PORT RICHEY, Florida – One of the most damaging snails in the world was recently seen in a Florida city, forcing a quarantine apart from the city, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
A giant African land snail was found by a master gardener on June 23 in the New Port Richey area, FDACS said.
While snails may seem harmless, these crawling creatures can pose a serious risk to human health as they carry the parasitic rat lung worm, which can cause meningitis.
In addition, they can grow up to 8 inches long, or about the size of a standard cup of coffee.
The FDACS said the snails also consume at least 500 different types of plants, posing a threat to Florida’s natural areas.
The quarantine area covers nearly six miles and does not prohibit residents themselves from traveling, but it does prohibit any movement of plants, soil, compost, or garden waste to the area without permission from the Florida Department of Agriculture.
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The FDACS plant industry division has already begun treating the area with metaldehyde-based molluscicide or snail bait.
It’s not the first time these snails have been found in Florida. According to the FDACS, they have been eradicated twice before. This is the third time they have met the state again.
Neighbors who believe they have found one of the snails should not touch them without gloves because of the risk of meningitis. They are also asked to contact the FDACS hotline at 1-888-397-1517.
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