Invasive snails detected near South Gables
Agriculture inspectors recently began a survey after finding mature giant African land snails in several properties in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, near the South Gables border.
On May 26, the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services received a call from a resident living in the 7600 block of Southwest 52nd Court.
Inspectors found mature giant African land snails at that home and three adjacent properties. They launched a survey, which extends one-half mile out in all directions and includes parts of Coral Gables.
If you live around Sunset Drive and 52th Avenue and you think you’ve spotted these invasive pests, call 1-888-397-1517 to have the snails collected.
The snails can damage plaster and stucco, can consume 500 different types of plants, and are known to carry a parasite that can lead to meningitis in humans.
The large snail, originally from East Africa, can grow up to eight inches in length and more than four inches in diameter.
The Florida Department of Agriculture is working with local municipalities to encourage homeowners to help control the snail population.
So far they have discovered over 33,000 snails in Miami-Dade County.
For more information on the invasive snail, visit www.freshfromflorida.com and enter “giant African land snail” in the search field.
