Part of Florida Quarantined Due to Stucco-Eating Giant African Land Snail
If it’s not malaria-carrying mosquitoes, it’s stucco-eating giant snails.
Neighborhoods in Broward County are still under quarantine in an effort to limit the spread of the giant African land snails, which were found in the area recently. It is unlawful to move the snails or plants, soil, yard waste or building materials where the snails may have laid eggs, without a permit, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said.
The currently quarantined and treatment area includes a 260-block area between Pembroke Pines and Hollywood, near the North Perry Airport. Parts of Lee County and Pasco County were quarantined last year to help control the invasive species.
The agriculture department called the snails one of the most damaging pests in the world, devastating to agriculture and damaging to properties. The creatures are known to eat some 500 types of plants, along with stucco, plastic and other building materials. Their spiny shells can cause flat tires on vehicles. They also pose a threat to people by carrying rat lungworm, which is shown to cause meningitis, the department said in a bulletin.
To obtain a permit, known as a compliance agreement, residents should call 888-397-1517 or email DPIHelpline@FDACS.gov. Eradication treatments could take as long as 19 months, the agency said. More information is on the FDAC website.
Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued statewide alerts after four cases of malaria were reported south of Tampa.