Snails were brought to the U.S. from Europe in the 1850's, with the idea that they would be a food, like they are over there. Instead, they became a prolific and very destructive pest. Snails are mollusks and are related to sea creatures. They need moisture to survive and, if their environment suddenly won't support them any longer, they are able to go dormant for periods of two to four years. They do this by discharging mucus around the entrance to their shell to seal it shut. When they sense the environment has become favorable they come out and proceed with their life cycle. They can be very destructive to garden plants and citrus trees.

Snails are also the favorite food of roof rats. When snails start disappearing and you find hollow or crushed snail shells around, you can almost take it for granted that a small animal is eating the snails (most probably a rat). One of the beneficial predator insects is the decollate snail, also known as the "killer snail." They will actually get rid of common garden snails as they are carnivorous, and they will not eat or damage plants. The Decollate Snail is not found naturally in the area, so you would have to buy them from a dealer.

Life Cycle:

Snails have both sex organs and are hermaphrodites. They mate with another snail, then both lay eggs. Eggs (fewer than 200) are laid in small cavities in the soil hollowed out by the parent. They hatch in less than three weeks. Newly hatched snails stay close to their birthplace for several days feeding on the surrounding vegetation. It takes one to three years to reach maturity.

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