The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services introduced on Tuesday the institution of a quarantine zone in southern Broward and northern Miami-Dade to stop the unfold of big African land snails.
According to the division, the quarantine prohibits the motion of big African land snails or regulated articles, together with vegetation, plant components, soil, yard waste, and constructing supplies inside, by, or from the designated quarantine space and not using a compliance settlement.
The presence of a big African land snail was confirmed in Miramar on June 2nd. These snails can develop as much as 8 inches lengthy and have distinct whirled, brown-mottled shells. They are identified to lay as much as 2,500 eggs per 12 months.
The quarantine space is bounded by Pembroke Road to the north, SW 62nd Avenue to the east, NW 215th Street in Miami-Dade to the south, and South University Drive to the west.
To management the infestation, the agriculture division will deal with properties with a metaldehyde-based molluscicide, which disrupts the mucus manufacturing capability of snails and slugs, making them prone to dehydration and lowering their mobility. Affected snails typically search hiding locations, turn out to be inactive, and die inside days.
Residents like Vivian Elliott have encountered these snails of their yards. She found 4 of them two weeks in the past, describing them as massive in dimension. Vivian discovered in regards to the snails by a flyer left on her entrance door.
Dr. Trevor Smith from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services defined that roughly 190 snails have been discovered thus far.
“These snails are considered agricultural pests, as they feed on various plants, including landscape plants. Additionally, they pose a risk to structures like stucco homes due to their calcium-seeking behaviour. The snails also carry a parasite called Rat Lung Worm, which can cause meningitis in humans and other mammals,” Smith mentioned in a press release
Originating from East Africa, big African land snails have beforehand been eradicated twice in Florida. The first eradication befell from 1969 to 1975, and a 10-year effort in Miami-Dade County concluded in 2021, costing roughly $23 million and ensuing within the assortment of about 170,000 snails. The present quarantine goals to stop additional infestations and shield each the agriculture trade and public well being.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
