Keeping out undesirables
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (367241)
Rockingham, Australia
June 19, 2025 8:39pm CST
Australia is classified as a continent but it’s surrounded by water and effectively cut off from the rest of the world. It’s one reason why our creatures have evolved so differently from those in other countries. It is more difficult for people to reach our shores if they try to come by illegal means and we’ve taken great pains to keep out undesirable pests. We have also introduced plenty but mostly with good intentions. We have very strict quarantine laws but occasionally, new pests arrive such as the one found in Queensland recently.
It’s the peanut or ghost snail, Bulimulus sporadicus, which originated in the Caribbean and has now been discovered at the Port of Brisbane. It’s becoming a problem in southern USA, damaging crops such as peanuts, citrus, soybean, cotton and blueberry. Australian horticulturalists are keen to prevent it gaining hold here.
The snail can cover 22 metres in 22 days (so is speedier than most snail species) and likes hitchhiking on farm machinery, rail carriages and people. It can seal itself in its shell over dry periods and emerge again when it rains.
350 of the snails have been found so far and baits are being set using raw sourdough starter as a lure.
The photo is of the railway line at Kuranda in Queensland.
17 people like this
16 responses
@sallypup (67107)
• Centralia, Washington
20 Jun
@DaddyEvil I know where some hungry starlings are.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (163584)
• United States
20 Jun
@sallypup Starlings are an introduced species that both the US and Australia have in common. We have them in our back yard all the time.
2 people like this
@crossbones27 (51796)
• Mojave, California
20 Jun
Very clever point and this is what I was taught. Australia outside aboriginals were all from prison. Granted silly things like said some said bad things about a king, but none the less they were sent to this land of creature horrors.
All they did was become one of the most fair and free counrtries in the world. Much respect
Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
3 people like this
@JudyEv (367241)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jun
That you for the kind words. Certainly much of our Anglo-Saxon forebears were convicts but there were a lot of 'free' people that came here too. I hope and pray we always stay free and fair.
@rsa101 (40547)
• Philippines
20 Jun
I’ve seen a few videos on YouTube showing how strict Australia is when it comes to screening baggages at the airport—especially at customs. They really take biosecurity seriously, and now I understand why after reading about this ghost snail issue. It’s amazing how even a tiny creature like that can cause such big trouble for crops and the environment.
It must be a constant challenge keeping things like this out, especially when pests can hitch a ride so easily. The fact that they’re using raw sourdough starter as bait is both clever and oddly fascinating! I really hope the efforts to stop it early work—Australia’s unique ecosystem is so worth protecting.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (40547)
• Philippines
20 Jun
@JudyEv Whoa, it's good to know that there is no rabies there. There is a constant risk here because anti-rabies vaccinations are typically given automatically in response to animal bites or scratches. Undoubtedly, it is imperative for pet owners to ensure their animals receive anti-rabies vaccinations. I'm not really sure how we would get rid of it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (367241)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jun
@rsa101 Once some things get a hold in a country, it's almost impossible to eradicate. Our latest problem is the shot-hole borer, a tiny insect which bores holes in tree trunks and ends up killing them. A lot of trees were destroyed but now it's accepted that we'll have to learn to live with it.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (208254)
• United States
20 Jun
I hope they can stop the spread. The US is full of invasive species.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (367241)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jun
@LindaOHio We have a native python but no iguanas, thank goodness. It's certainly a worry when introduced species become a pest.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (208254)
• United States
21 Jun
@JudyEv It's so sad. The iguanas are taking over Florida; and the pythons are taking over the Everglades.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (92718)
• Bangalore, India
20 Jun
That's pretty impressive speed for a snail. 350 found so far, but that might not be all. If they are good at producing, they would multiply fast. I hope that they got to know in the initial stage and the problem can be arrested and resolved.
2 people like this
@arunima25 (92718)
• Bangalore, India
20 Jun
@JudyEv I hope that they have not reproduced much in short span.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (367241)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jun
@arunima25 I haven't heard of baby guinea pigs so that's a good thing.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (200003)
• United States
20 Jun
I hope they get it before they get out of control.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (367241)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jun
They seem to think they've got onto it quickly so here's hoping.
@JudyEv (367241)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jun
We do have a lot of unique plants and animals. Some of our plants are closely related to those in Africa meaning the continents must have been connected at one time.
@allknowing (153926)
• India
20 Jun
Wonder how they managed to sneak in and that too crossing the sea. Anyway eradicating snails is not easy. Do you use pesticides? There are pesticides ideally suited for killing snails.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153926)
• India
20 Jun
@JudyEv I have worked for a multinational and they had a full Department dealing with Agrochemicals and I remember they had a solution. And now further research may have produced better results.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (367241)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jun
@allknowing Hopefully they can stop any more getting into the country.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (126402)
• Marion, Ohio
20 Jun
Many critters find a way to sneak in
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (6724)
• United Kingdom
20 Jun
I have never heard of that particular snail before. I hope that your country can get rid of them quickly as they are causing such problems.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (367241)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jun
We make great efforts to keep out anything that is detrimental to our food crops.
@Beestring (15377)
• Hong Kong
20 Jun
Hope the invasion can be stopped promptly.
1 person likes this
