The invasive Giant African Snail is continuing to spread across Antigua, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the environmental unit have confirmed.
First detected on the island several years ago, the pest is now appearing in growing numbers in residential areas, farms and gardens. Authorities warn it poses a serious threat to crops, native plants and property, as well as carrying parasites harmful to humans.
Officials say public cooperation is vital. Residents are urged not to handle the snails with bare hands, to report sightings to the Ministry, and to dispose of them safely using salt or bleach solution. Clearing vegetation and debris around homes can also help reduce hiding places.
The government has stepped up its eradication and monitoring programme but insists the pest cannot be controlled by official action alone.
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They are plentyful up by the road leading to the pot works dam and farm areas to the west of Bethesda village leading to liberta village.
Ludicrous- these people have the gall to come back here with this nonsense. The horses have bolted neons ago. There cannot be any word as eradication in connection with this snail. We don’t have known predator. We have allowed them to spread unabated for years. They cannot even be eradicated off my 2 acres plot of land. The only term should be use is contain or control which is not nearly s certainty.
No one in this country can say exactly where there snails are are where they are not for sure.
So as far as I am concerned this is a nonsense statement or communication.
I am reporting that the giant African snails are everywhere. Easy, west, north and South. That they are known it certain parts of the world to carry diseases/ pest. So are cattle, sheep, goats and chickens.
Not a single person have gotten sick from handling the snails in Antigua.
We have Africans living here that are consuming these snails for years.
The ministry and in particular the plant protection department have done a very poor job in managing this invasive species.
Right now you are clueless where on the Island they are located.
Thank the UPP for introducing them and the “cuban frogs” into our country.
Wikkid self
“SUNSHINE GOVERNMENT” scald us to death!
The mongoose is a natural predator of the African giant snail,their is an abundance if mongoose on this island
I thought this was a thing of the past. Didn’t realize we still have those things around since I have not seen them in years
This issue needs consistent attention glad it’s being highlighted again.
They are at CCG courtyard saw alot lastnight during the rain
These snails are no joke. I’ve seen them in my garden and they eat everything in sight. Glad the Ministry is stepping up, but the community really has to get involved.
I think the government should also look into offering incentives for people who collect and properly dispose of these snails. That would encourage more action.
Come on people don’t panic.
CMC sells snail bait. All I did was bait the perimeter of my property and it took care of them in no time.
Yes there are a lot of areas that are overgrown but let’s start with our residential areas and farms.
Pull together people. It can be done. Now that the rains have returned they will come out so be prepared. I was trying to collect them, but it soon became too much. I used bait and literally just went around and removed the dead ones the day after before they started to rot.
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