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African snail wreak havoc destroying crops in Beltangady

  •   Sat, Aug 15 2020 08:59:41 PM

Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (MS)

Beltangady, Aug 15: Farmers who have raised crops on an area of 100 acres in Uruvalu village of the taluk are facing problems due to African snails attack. Earlier, the same snail had destroyed the crops of farmers of Alangar, Savanoor, Koila and Kasargod.

These snails are active in the months of August and September. They eat vegetables, farm crops, and forest and field produce. They hide beneath the rock and leaves during daytime and eat the crop during the night. Sometimes, they can be seen during drizzle and day time also as per the information given by the horticulture department.

 
African snails (file photo)

The attack from African snails can be prevented by removing the weed from the farm. In the beginning stages, the snails can be destroyed by collecting them and putting in a pit and spraying slaked lime on them. These can be trapped by keeping wet gunny bags also on the farm as they hide beneath them.

 
  

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Comment on this article

  • Shashikumar Shetty, Santhoor

    Sun, Aug 16 2020

    These Snails are called Narthe - they were always there in our paddy fields and some communities used to eat them. Even now some people in Kerala eat it and they call it Navanikai . It is probably due to less vegetation these days the destructions are visible. Otherwise these were the natural habitats of our Region and if I am not wrong these creatures were adding calcium to the soil. These days everything seem to be looking like destruction and big news. 1 day rain alerts of all hues when we have faced nonstop rains for 3 months and we also had monsoon holidays then.

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  • Vincent D'Souza, Belthangady

    Sun, Aug 16 2020

    Thanks for your clarification. I was also of the same view. We enjoyed this delicacy with "Basale". During my childhood days, they were plenty in our fields. Now, they are gone as buildings have come up in the fields.

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  • Cynthia, Kirem

    Sun, Aug 16 2020

    Shashi anna, Narthes are our native species whereas African snails have conical shells, whereas Narthes are round . African shells are not from India and dont ave many natural predators...and hence have become pests and a nuisance to our farmers... Narthes are eaten not only in Kerala but, udupi/Mangalore and other neighbouring districts. I have seen them in markets. Narthes are not sticky people say. Thry are like sea shells (marvai) but, rest of the snails are very sticky. Narthes come up in fields sfter one or two rains. Once the rain subsides they go down the depth of land. (All snails are same). In Mumbai, i have seen giant type of snails and thry come on the road..(because of 365 day's gutter water).....They look like big ship moving. If any vehicle move over it, big space of the road will be dirtied.By mistake if you touch them, stickiness doesn't go easily. When you scrub the gummy part to any rough surface and then wash in water then it goes......i scraped my palm with a knife once to remove that gum...yuckkkk they are 🤮

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  • Godfrey D'Souza, Mumbai

    Sun, Aug 16 2020

    Yes Cynthi the large snails are still present but only at some places. Some years ago they were all over the city and considered a pest. Now the numbers have reduced.
    Any snail for that matter can be destroyed by sprinkling salt. The earthworms also get affected by salt.
    Hope the menace is controlled soon and crops are taken care of.

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  • Cynthia, Kirem

    Sun, Aug 16 2020

    Thanks for your comment Godfrey Sir. I think they grow upto giant size because of the waste water from buildings that flows through the gutter, through out the year situated below the roads.....During rainy season they come to road carrying big load on their back. For me it was looking like trucks carrying the sacks of beedi leaves over packed all the sides...... 😆😆😆

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  • Anand, Mangalore

    Sun, Aug 16 2020

    Africans snails are not narthe. Check u tube for more info.

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  • Vincent D'Souza, Belthangady

    Sat, Aug 15 2020

    Are these Snails Palatable?

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  • Edward, Mumbai

    Sun, Aug 16 2020

    These snails are dangerous and considered as weed. What is palatable are different type of snails found mainly in wet paddy fields.we call it "kongey" in konkani. These two categories are different type one is a weed and other is a harmless , nutritious delicacy.

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