Kerala Agricultural University seeks community action against invasive snail

With the southwest monsoon creating favourable conditions for the rapid proliferation of the Giant African snail (Achatina fulica), Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) has called on local bodies, government departments, farmers and the public to undertake coordinated community-based control measures to prevent its further spread.

The invasive snail attacks more than 100 plant species, including banana, papaya, jackfruit, okra, brinjal, cabbage, arecanut, rubber and coffee, posing a serious threat to agriculture. Infestations are also commonly reported in poultry farms, timber depots and places where organic waste and garbage accumulate, which provide ideal breeding grounds during the rainy season.

Vice-Chancellor T. Sajitha Rani said effective management of the pest depends on the timely adoption of scientifically validated control measures supported by active community participation. “Kerala Agricultural University would continue to provide technical guidance and scientific support to local bodies, various developmental departments, farmer groups and other stakeholders to strengthen coordinated community-based management programmes,” she added.

KAU identified environmental sanitation as the first line of defence against the pest. Farmers and the public have been advised to remove weeds, crop residues, organic waste, garbage and discarded gunny bags from home gardens, agricultural fields, poultry farms and public places to eliminate breeding sites.

“Kerala Agricultural University is organising district-level awareness and community action campaigns to strengthen the management of the Giant African snail through coordinated surveillance, sanitation drives and snail collection programmes,” said Dr. Binoo P Bonny, Director of Extension.

She said sustained surveillance through panchayat-level pest scout teams, in collaboration with the Agriculture department, local self-government institutions and trained volunteers, would help detect new infestation hotspots at an early stage.

The university recommended collecting adult snails and egg masses during the early morning or evening, when they are most active. Protective gloves should be worn while collecting and handling the snails. “The collected snails should be destroyed by immersing them in a 25% salt solution prepared by mixing 250 g of salt in one litre of water. Alternatively, they may be buried in pits at least two metres deep, away from water bodies, after applying salt or copper sulphate before covering them with soil,” the advisory said.

For trapping the snails, a bait prepared by mixing 500 grams of wheat flour, 200 grams of jaggery and 20 grams of yeast with water may be placed in shallow containers or on wet gunny bags during the evening. Fermented fruits and papaya, banana and cabbage leaves can also be used as attractants. Snails attracted overnight should be collected and destroyed the following morning to reduce breeding.

To prevent further spread, KAU recommended applying a 1% copper sulphate solution (10 g per litre of water) along field boundaries. Tobacco dust or borax may also be used as barrier treatments. A 6% copper sulphate solution (60 grams per litre of water) may be applied to walls and tree trunks where snails congregate. For application on crops, 3 grams of copper sulphate per litre of water may be used.

However, its application should be avoided in cucurbit crops such as cucumber, bitter gourd, snake gourd, pumpkin and ash gourd, as well as in paddy. The university also advised farmers to thoroughly inspect and clean agricultural implements, planting materials and vehicles before moving them from infested areas to prevent accidental spread of the pest.