Farmer's Experiences and Management of Giant African Snail in Solomon Islands Gardens

The giant African land snail ( Lissachatina fulica ) is recognised as one of the world's 100 worst invasive alien species because of its substantial impacts on biodiversity and agriculture. Introduced to the Solomon Islands before 2006, the species initially caused extensive damage to food crops and ornamental plants. This study examined the perceptions of 124 farmers in peri‐urban Honiara and four farmers in rural East Guadalcanal regarding crop damage, snail population trends and the long‐term status of L. fulica . Preliminary laboratory trials, comprising five independent replicates per treatment, were also conducted to evaluate the effects of fresh tobacco leaves on snail survival. Farmers generally perceived that snail abundance and associated crop damage had declined over time, although L. fulica continued to affect garden production. Some rural farmers reported planting tobacco along garden boundaries to deter snails; however, the effectiveness of this practice remains anecdotal and was not evaluated under field conditions. In the 5‐week laboratory trials involving 300 snails, exposure to fresh tobacco leaves resulted in a mean mortality rate of 45%. These findings suggest a possible long‐term stabilisation or decline of L. fulica populations at some garden sites and provide preliminary evidence that fresh tobacco leaves may have molluscicidal effects. Nevertheless, long‐term population monitoring and replicated field trials are required to confirm these population trends and determine the efficacy, safety and practicality of tobacco as a sustainable component of integrated pest management.