Managing Giant African Snail (GAS) in the Field and Around the Home

Giant African snail (Lissachatina fulica) formerly Achatina fulica can cause major destruction to crops, loss of income and may even cause human health problems. This pest can lay up to four hundred eggs at a time and it can lay three clutches in one year. Eggs hatch within eight to twelve days and the snails become sexually mature in five months. Since the snail can live up to nine years, management is critical in preventing the multiplication and spread of this pest.