Foreseeing a renewed invasion of the Giant African Snails in the State during the monsoon, invasive species experts have kicked off a pest eradication programme.
The invasive mollusc has independent populations across 126 locations in the State and comes out of slumber with the onset of the monsoon. The ferocious feeder eats anything from crops to ornamental plants and crawls all across walls and buildings. It was three years ago the presence of the mollusc was first reported in the State.
T.V. Sajeev, who heads the forest division of the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Thrissur, felt that the State was on the threshold of a population explosion of snails. “It is for the first time established populations of the species have been identified at over 100 locations, and if not contained during this season, its management will become difficult,” he said.
Awareness material
Meanwhile, researchers have begun sending awareness material for eradicating snail population to all local bodies. In some cases, demonstrations on preparing Tobacco Decoction Copper Sulphate (TDCS) mixture and its applications are conducted. The Kerala State Agriculture Department has sanctioned a project for eradicating snails, Dr. Sajeev said.
Snails act as intermediate hosts of rat lung worm, which causes eosinophilic meningitis in children. Its mucus is known to cause skin allergy and itching. They can damage constructions, as they feed on calcium for its growth and shell maintenance, according to researchers.
The carriers
Snails can get transported to new locations through transplantation of ornamental plants, vehicular movement, and transfer of cargo including timber, soil, and manure.
The eggs of snails should be destroyed by spraying TDCS. Small populations that are established during summer showers can be controlled by using TDCS or sprinkling common salt on them.
When rain picks up, the bait trap method shall be employed by spreading vegetable waste, including leaves of cabbage, on a moist sack. When snails gather together on the sack, they could be destroyed by spraying TDCS on them.
The dead snails should be safely buried, Dr. Sajeev suggested.
