The Truth About the Apple Snail, Nature’s Prettiest Pest

What is an apple snail?

Apple snails originated in South America. However, some careless human activities (more on this later) have ensured that these critters spread all around the world. They are even a common sight in America, both in aquariums and gardens. And while their eggs are pink, the snails that come out may have many different colors, including brown, yellow, blue, purple, green, and (you guessed it) pink.

There are different species of these snails, some of which (like Pomacea bridgesii and Pomacea diffusa) are more popular in aquariums. Additionally, these creatures have different names. Some gardeners refer to them as spike-topped apple snails due to their appearance. Others simply call them “mystery snails” because they look and act so different from the average snail.

A popular aquarium attraction

How you react to apple snails may depend on where you find them. For example, you may need to go into panic mode if you see them in your garden, and our guide includes some definitive strategies for taking care of these pests. Depending on where you live, though, you may be likelier to encounter apple snails in the aquarium.

As aquarium attractions go, these apple snails are very popular. One reason for this is their crazy coloration: after staring at so many dark creatures in the various tinks, it feels downright refreshing to look at snails with a bright pink or purple coloration. Kids find them cool because they can grow to the size of baseballs. They are also popular among aquarium workers for a very straightforward reason: unlike most snails, these mysterious critters don’t eat the plants inside their tank.

A major tourist attraction with very little upkeep? No wonder aquarium visitors love to see apple snails! Here’s the bad news, though: this is one of the most invasive species in the world.

A dangerous invasive species

We’re not exaggerating about the threat posed by apple snails. These little guys have been recognized as one of the 100 Worst Invasive Species worldwide! What makes them so dangerous? While they may leave standard aquarium plants alone, they love to snack on other kinds of aquatic plants, and they have been known to devastate entire rice fields in Southeast Asia. That makes them a threat to the economy and home gardens alike!

These snails can threaten the local ecosystem around your home. Additionally, though, they can be a threat to your very existence thanks to what they carry. Their eggs may carry toxins that can hurt your skin and eyes by causing rashes. And the snails themselves may carry the parasite rat lungworm, which can be fatal to humans if it is consumed.

Where did all these snails come from?

The dangers posed by the apple snail might not mean much if they stayed contained to a single area. Unfortunately, these creatures are popping up in new places all the time. In 2023, they made their first appearance in North Carolina. This caused the state’s wildlife commission to monitor the situation and issue warnings to locals about the threat posed by the apple snails.

That leads to an obvious question: if these snails originated in South America, how the heck did they spread all around the world? Some of this is natural migration influenced by climate change. You see, they can move across land and love wet, warm areas. As the temperatures increase around the world, apple snails keep popping up where they are least expected.

Additionally, some aquariums have irresponsibly dumped apple snails outside their facilities, resulting in the creatures spreading. And before the European Union banned the practice in 2012, apple snails were sold as delicacies to those who enjoy dishes like escargot.

What to do if you find apple snails in your garden

Let’s say you spot an apple snail in your own garden. What should you do? First, never touch them with your hands. Wear some gloves and capture any snails that you find. From there, you can pop them into your freezer for 12-15 hours. That is typically enough to completely kill them.

As usual, though, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you find any eggs, scrape them into a container and then throw the container away. Don’t flush the eggs, as this helps the snails spread. Finally, consider draining any freshwater areas around your house. This is where the snails thrive, and draining the water may cause them to migrate naturally somewhere else.