Fla. asks homeowners to kill giant snails

October 18, 2011
Author: 2011 Florida Realtors®

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is encouraging homeowners to help slow the spread of and reduce the Giant African Land Snail population by voluntarily applying snail baits that can be purchased over the counter at most lawn and garden centers.

The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences (UF/IFAS) recommends consumers use SLUGGO – AG, since it’s the most environmentally safe product and contains iron phosphate as the active ingredient. It’s approved for use on residential properties and should be applied following label instructions.

Inspection teams will begin applying snail bait in areas where high populations of the snails have been detected to help control the rapid growth of snails in the area. Residents will be notified at least 24 hours before treatments begin.

Since the first Giant African Land Snail discovery in early September, more than 23,000 snails have been collected from nine areas in Miami-Dade County.

For more information or to see photos of the giant snails, visit the Florida Department of Agriculture website.