Kill Apple Snail Eggs!

Got an email about these guys:

This weekend we went for a boat ride in a canal north of Bayou Black and
south of Hwy 90 in Gibson, LA. We were quite surprised to see a very
large population of Apple Snail egg masses (bright pink) on trees and
cypress knees there. See the pics I have attached. Two months ago,
these were not bad enough to be noticed. The snails themselves were
only seen at night. Looking more closely on the way back, we also
spotted several egg masses along Bayou Black.

We have initiated contact with our local invasive species experts and LA
Dept Wildlife and Fisheries but it looks like there is not much they can
do. See their reply below.

It is recommended that the eggs be scrapped from trees/grasses into the
water and Snails be killed.

It is way too big a job for any of us... but all of us may make a
difference. Look for them and if you come across any, get rid of them!!


http://media.wlf.louisiana.gov/icebo..._Eggs_2WEB.jpg

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From: Michael Massimi [mailto:Michael@btnep.org]
<mailto:[mailto:Michael@btnep.org]>
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2010 11:54 AM

This is definitely the farthest west report I have yet received. It's
unfortunate, but not surprising. They have been spreading west along
the Hwy 20 borrow canal from Schriever for at least two years now, and
have been reported in Bayou Black for just as long. Not sure if they
reached Gibson via the Bayou or via the canal, but either route is
plausible.

The wetlands center in Lafayette is doing research on two potentially
useful chemicals, but as yet there is no snail-specific molluscicide.
We recommend removing snails whenever possible and crushing or otherwise
destroying the egg masses whenever possible. Unfortunately that's about
all we can do at this point.



Michael Massimi

Invasive Species Coordinator

Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program

985 449-4714
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Link to LWF

http://media.wlf.state.la.us/news/?id=944

CHOOTEM' CHOOTEM'

Dont even waste your time. I have been doing research in the Thibodaux wastewater wetlands for 4 years now and have watched these things spread. When I first started out there we would only see a couple patches of eggs each time out. Now, there are at least 10 patches of eggs on every tree or stump above the water. Theres literally hundreds of thousands of patches of eggs now. Them snails spread faster than mice and if you try to stop them your only wasting your time. Trust me.

What kind of damage can a snail do? Whats the effects of these snails? Just curious never heard about this? Pour salt on em!

The invasive apple snails are outcompeting native snails, and these native snails are dying out in the areas the apple snails have invaded. Depending on the temperature and other factors, the expected lifetime of an apple snail ranges from 1 year to more than 4 years. They are multiplying so quickly that all of our native snails will eventually die off. Apple snails are big eaters, and eat things such as vegetation, dead organic matter, and even other snails. Apple snails have also been known to carry deadly diseases. Hope this helps.