Those in Louisiana Warned of Potential Danger of Apple Snails

If you're in South Louisiana and near a body of water you should be on the lookout for "Apple Snails."

The LSU Agriculture Center posted what these Apple Snails look like and they even offered a few suggestions in the event you come into contact with them.

According to the LSU AgCenter, "Apple snails are an invasive species in Louisiana. They lay bright pink egg masses on structures and plants emerging from the water. Apple snails reproduce rapidly and are known for reaching high population densities in freshwater habitats including rivers, bayous, ponds and swamps."

Now, if you happen to spot what you see above, you should find an object to knock these eggs into the water so that they cannot hatch. Remember, this is an invasive species so by preventing the eggs from hatching, you're doing a good thing..

In the event, that your skin or body comes into contact with them, the LSU Ag Center suggests that you wash the contact area immediately. Apple Snails contain a protein neurotoxin called PcPV2, which can irritate the skin or eyes of those who touch them.

Believe it or not, some here are brave enough to cook these eggs and if you do, you are warned to cook them thoroughly. In the post from the LSU AgCenter, they report that "Raw or undercooked snails can contain rat lungworm, a parasite that can cause potentially fatal eosinophilic meningitis."

Take a look at the Apple Snails below as they have become an issue for many who work off of the land in Southwest Louisiana.