Giant African Land Snails in Florida: What to Do if You Find One
If you suspect a giant African land snail, leave it where it is. Do not pick it up, move it, or apply a treatment. Photograph it from a safe distance, note the location, and follow Florida’s current identification and reporting instructions. A large shell alone does not confirm the species.
Why does identification matter?
Giant African land snails are invasive in Florida and feed on a wide range of plants. They can damage agriculture and natural areas. They can also carry rat lungworm, a parasite that can cause a rare form of meningitis in people.
People can become infected by eating raw or undercooked snails or slugs that carry the parasite. Raw produce may also be contaminated. A yard sighting alone does not show that anyone has been exposed, and not every snail carries rat lungworm. Wash vegetables that will be eaten raw, and do not eat wild snails or slugs raw or undercooked. If someone may have eaten one or has a health concern, contact a healthcare professional.
What should I do if I suspect one?
- Leave it in place. Keep your hands off the snail. Do not trap it or carry it to another location.
- Take a photo from a safe distance. Include the shell and the animal. Do not move it closer or risk contact to get a better picture.
- Record where and when you saw it. Note the address or nearest cross street and the date. If it was near plants, soil, or landscaping material, include that detail.
- Use the current state identification and reporting instructions. Send the photo and location. If you are unsure of the species, say so; do not report it as confirmed based on appearance alone.
- Wait for instructions before cleanup or treatment. Check the rules for your location before moving the snail or nearby soil, plants, yard waste, or debris.
What is Florida’s current quarantine status?
As of October 10, 2026, quarantine areas are in Broward and Pasco counties. A Lee County detection reported in 2022 was declared eradicated in 2026 after more than three years without live snails. That local eradication did not end the separate quarantine areas.
The boundaries are area-specific, so not every address in Broward or Pasco is automatically included. Check the current map for the exact location before moving materials. Restrictions can apply to the snail and to items such as plants, soil, yard waste, debris, compost, and building materials. Rules and boundaries can change, so an old article or map may not reflect the current requirements.
If you think you found one outside a listed area, still use the current reporting instructions. Do not drive the snail to an office, nursery, or another property for identification. Send a photo and the location instead.
Can I identify one from its shell?
Not reliably from size or color alone. Giant African land snails can vary in appearance, and Florida has many other land snails; most are harmless or beneficial. A large shell is a reason to check, not proof of the species. Use the current identification guide and ask for help if the photo is inconclusive. Do not handle a snail to compare its size, color, or shell pattern.
Should I use ordinary snail bait or a home remedy?
Not before the species is identified and you have checked the rules for your area. Do not apply bait or spray, or arrange removal, based on a guess. Follow the official response instructions for a suspected regulated species.
If the animal is identified as an ordinary garden snail or slug, our guide to reducing snail and slug damage in a South Florida garden covers routine garden concerns. That guide is not a substitute for identifying or reporting a suspected giant African land snail.
Common questions
Does one large snail mean there is an infestation?
No. One sighting does not confirm the species or show how many snails may be in an area. Photograph it without touching it and use the current reporting channel so it can be identified.
Are all Broward and Pasco addresses under quarantine?
No. Quarantine boundaries are specific areas, not automatically every address in a named county. Check the current map for the exact property and the materials you plan to move.