Be aware of hitch-hiking pests

Snails such as the Common White Snail can be in a temporary stage of dormancy over summer after being harvested along with the grain crop.

According to Riverina Local Land Services senior land services officer, Lisa Castleman, they can be hard to detect until after feed grain is fed out to livestock in the paddock.

"Snails don't like the heat or dry weather at harvest time so they escape high ground temperatures by climbing up the stems of the crop or pasture plants and can then be harvested or baled up within hay," Ms Castleman said.

"The Small Conical Snail can easily go undetected in cereal or pasture hay."

"Snails can show reasonable survival in stored grain or hay over summer.

"Sometimes they may appear dead as they hide within their shell.

"Unless you crush the shell you can't actually be sure whether they're alive or not.

"They can dry down and lose weight, but reappear during rain when they take the opportunity to hydrate."

Ms Castleman said that for delivery of milling grain or oilseeds to silos, snails are a contaminant and specific delivery limits apply.

Feed grade grains including feed barley and feed wheat stored on-farm and then sold privately may contain undocumented risks.

"Ask the seller if snails are an issue in their region before buying stock feed," Ms Castleman said.

"It's also best to identify any snail pest quickly before a population has a chance to establish on your farm.

"Don't assume they won't adapt to the climate and the soils - they can adapt quite well."

Ms Castleman said snails can be eradicated when detected early enough.

However, control requires an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach.

Snails can even survive the seed treatment of grain, as only a molluscicide will kill them.

"If you think you might have a snail problem please contact us immediately for advice and support," she said.