Thiruvananthapuram: First sighted in Kerala about five years ago, Giant African snails have now become a permanent problem across the state. But locals have found a remedy to counter their attacks on fields and homes — kerosene.
The Achatina fulica Bowdich is causing havoc in the state, Kerala State Biodiversity Board member secretary K.P. Laladhas said.
"Data available shows that these snails are capable of attacking more than 500 plant species including vegetables. What's more worrying for us is that they can even attack our cash crop, rubber," Laladhas said.
Introduction
The pest was introduced by W.H. Benson in Calcutta [Kolkata] from Mauritius in 1847 and since then it has covered virtually the entire country.
In 2006, the snails became a real menace in the coastal village of Azhiyoor near Vadakara in north Kerala. But the locals destroyed almost 30,000 snails every day by using kerosene to burn them.
The menace is more prevalent in central and north Kerala districts of Kottayam, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Thrissur, among others.
Bessy Kurian, a housewife in Kottayam, has been fighting the pests since her home and garden came under a heavy snail attack last year.
"We thought what harm it could do when it was spotted in our rubber plantations near our home. But we realised it deserves no sympathy after there was a snail invasion in our garden and in a few days it had gnawed away the flora and fauna," Kurian said.
"I searched the internet on what can be done. We found that kerosene and even putting salt on these snails was enough."
