Objective　To compare different methods for detection of Oncomelania hupensis eggs in the soil, and to evaluate the feasibility of snail egg hatching in a natural way or at a stable temperature. Methods　Snails from Guichi district of Chizhou, Anhui province, China, were kept in the ponds of 4 square meters which mimicked natural ponds with 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, or 800 male or female snails per pond; the ratio of male and female snails was 1∶1. Two years later, soils were taken from the ponds to measure the number of snail eggs and perform egg hatching experiments with four methods. Statistical analysis was performed for these methods. Results　With each of the four methods, active snail eggs were detected or young snails were produced. Kruskal-Wallis H test showed no significant differences between the four methods in the detection rate of snail eggs or young snails. Log linear regression analysis revealed no significant correlation between the number of snails detected and the number of original snails in the pond (Y＝1.7312Lnx-5.7060). No consistency was found for the four methods by Kappa test. Conclusion　 Active snail eggs present in soils can be hatched naturally or at a stable temperature.