"Giant African Land Snails Invade South Florida"

[murahilin]

Here is an interesting article about the new snail that is damaging to plants, homes, and human health in South Florida. I haven't seen any of those snails yet myself. Has anyone else?

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/29/v-print/2610615/fight-is-on-against-giant-african.html

[zands]

Here is an interesting article about the new snail that is damaging to plants, homes, and human health in South Florida. I haven't seen any of those snails yet myself. Has anyone else?

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/29/v-print/2610615/fight-is-on-against-giant-african.html

"Nuke'em from orbit it's the only way to be sure"  Alien movie 1979... and nuke the Burmese pythons too while you are at it. Meanwhile I'll stomp on one if I see it.

[Soren]

We have plenty of them (here in Uganda) - and they enjoy seedlings of rare tropical fruits very much...

[fruitlovers]

They have been here for many years, but mostly on the dry Kona side of the island. They don't seem to like rainy side of the island so much. Our main nemesis are slugs, especially the pseudo slug.
Oscar

[Cookie Monster]

FL Div of Ag was here a few days ago talking about these guys. He said they haven't really seen them in Broward, but Miami has quite a few. He said that the only thing that works to kill them is a pesticide that contains arsenic, which they can no longer use. So, the means of control is mechanical -- picking them up. He said they captured 40,000 of them in Dade county already.

[Ethan]

Are they edible?  Little butter and garlic solves your pest problem.

-Ethan

[johnb51]

Can we move this topic to the main forum?  I think it's important for all to know about, as this critter could damage all our fruit trees and plants in FL.

[fruitlovers]

Might even be good to have a whole subject on front web page called Dealing With Pests? What do you think Sheehan? Another subject could be Dealing With Plant Diseases, like PM and antrhacnose.
Oscar

[murahilin]

Might even be good to have a whole subject on front web page called Dealing With Pests? What do you think Sheehan? Another subject could be Dealing With Plant Diseases, like PM and antrhacnose.
Oscar

Good idea. That is something I wanted to put in the FAQ. A detailed post dealing with most pest and a detailed post dealing with nutrient deficiencies and a detailed post for diseases.

[phantomcrab]

I sent the URL to a friend in Anguilla and here's his reply...
"Yes, we grow those here.  They came in 5 or 6 years ago with plants
from Miami.  I beat them back by a twice yearly application of slug
and snail bait."
He also sent a picture and it was definitely an Giant African snail.