North Escambia Has Been Invaded By Snails

July 15, 2018

Northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties have been invaded by snails.

“It is really unbelievable how many we have, Diann Tagert of Jay said.  She said they are everywhere around her home.

Tagert said she has resorted to using salt to keep the slimy little things and their tiny home shells away from her carport.

The tiny little invaders have been identified as the species Bulimulus sporadicus, according to Michael Donahoe, director of the Santa Rosa County Extension Service. The snails from the West Indies were first reported in Florida in Jacksonville, mostly around railroad tracks. They’ve since spread, with infestations in several areas of the state.

“As far as we can tell, they are not chewing plant parts or causing damage like slugs,” he said.

Not only are the snails appearing around homes, they are also appearing on crops with no great way to control them.

“Insecticides simply did not work,” Donahoe said.

Courtesy photos and photos by Diann Tagert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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Comments

18 Responses to “North Escambia Has Been Invaded By Snails”

  1. Jack Kemp on July 19th, 2018 9:40 pm

    Proven methods to eliminate snails:
    1. BB gun, preferably rifle. It’s slow going but also useful for sharpening your sniper skills.
    2. Gasoline and matches.
    3. Crazy glue. Place a small dab directly in the path of each snail. They’re too slow to turn away in time, and will get stuck.
    4. Toads. Catch a toad that looks like he hasn’t eaten in a while. Place the toad directly in the midst of the snail infestation. Watch the hilarity ensue!

  2. Kelly on July 19th, 2018 12:41 am

    Diatomaceous Earth is used for snails. Cuts and dries insects out. Natural silica in it.
    Google it and see what you think. Some insects require a multiple insecticide approach. DE as it is known is natural. I did not charge for the advice so go easy on me.

  3. bigblock345 on July 18th, 2018 8:11 pm

    Okay, look. This is an emotional moment for all of us, all right? I know that. But let’s not make snap judgments, please. This is clearly an important species we’re dealing with here, and I don’t think you or I or anybody has the right to arbitrarily exterminate them.

  4. alicia thomas on July 18th, 2018 2:29 pm

    But they took forever to get here.

  5. JJ on July 16th, 2018 9:15 am

    Yeah, Bishop should do it.

  6. Nuker on July 15th, 2018 7:14 pm

    Nuke them form orbit it’s the only way to be sure.:)

  7. Sandy on July 15th, 2018 6:00 pm

    I live in Molino and I have been fighting the snails for about 6 weeks. I even had an exterminator to spray but it didn’t help very much. Mine were as bad or worse than these pictures. I found something at Lowe’s made by Ortho that is for snails. It did help a little. We still have them but they are a lot better. I’m still fighting!

  8. anne 1of2 on July 15th, 2018 4:49 pm

    You can drown them in beer. A coffee can lid of that will work.They die happy Don’t try this at church,lol.

  9. Garrett saul on July 15th, 2018 4:47 pm

    If you want to get rid of them. Use something with copper

  10. Shari Cooper on July 15th, 2018 4:09 pm

    Salt is effective in killing them, but you have to put it on each snail for it to be effective. I can see getting them cleared out and then putting a salt border around where you don’t want them in the future, at least until it rains :-) .

  11. Suzie B. on July 15th, 2018 12:21 pm

    I’ve used commercial strength pine oil on some things outdoors like to keep tree frogs and slugs away from my doors. I wonder if it would deter these too. I’ve only had a few so far.

  12. Barbara Greene on July 15th, 2018 11:31 am

    I live out towards Perdido Key and I have dealt with these since hurricane Ivan. They got all over my hibiscus plants and killed them. I sure hope we can find a way to eradicate them.

  13. Home Sweet Century on July 15th, 2018 11:24 am

    They are worse than the picnik table picture at our house

  14. A Alex on July 15th, 2018 11:14 am

    Have a few in Molino to. But a few, not like those in the pics. Less than a dozen

  15. jtt on July 15th, 2018 10:07 am

    Doesn’t the Rosy Wolf snail prey on other snails? It’s another foreign species already around here. Or maybe one of our native birds or tortoises will develop a taste for these snails.

  16. Anissa Allen on July 15th, 2018 9:57 am

    I wouldn’t mind them I like snails

  17. Try it, you might like it on July 15th, 2018 8:36 am

    Cook them in a little wine and butter sauce, tada you have escargot.

  18. Anne on July 15th, 2018 7:22 am

    Betcha some of those Yuppie Restaurants down toward the end of Palafox Street will look at these and think, “We can make escargot outta those”.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News