CONTROL Invasive Species

Invasive species can be successfully controlled through biological, chemical, and mechanical methods. We have listed examples and resources from each of these methods here to help you begin to develop your control strategies.

Successful control of an invasive species can mean containment or complete eradication of the species within a given area or ecosystem. In both instances, the species should be prevented from spreading to other areas.

Prevention is of course, the best method for controlling Invasive species. Unfortunately some invasive species are already here, so we must detect them early, and develop a rapid response to these invasions.

Hint! Visit our reference section on control and management of invasive species

> National Invasive Species Management Plan (National Invasive Species Information Center)
> The Global Invasive Species Database provides detailed descriptions of control methods specific to individual invasive species.
> Element Stewardship Abstracts (ESAs) (The Nature Conservancy). Detailed instructions for physical, chemical, and biological control of weeds.
> Invasive species, control methods, and best management practices (The Nature Conservancy)
> The Center for Invasive Plant Management's Control Methods. Web page describes biocontrol, grazing, herbicides, mowing, hand pulling, prescribed burning, and revegetation options.
> Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States: Identification and Control (University of Georgia, USDA APHIS PPQ and USDA Forest Service Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team)
> Aquatic Plant Management Society
> Practicial Guide Book to the Control of Invasive Aquatic and Wetland Plants of the San Francisco Bay-Delta Region
> Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests: A Field Guide for Identification and Control.
> Weed Control Information (California Invasive Plant Council)
> Noxious and Nuisance Plant Management Information System (PMIS, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers)
> Control of Nonnative Invasive Plants on Your Woodlot (US Forest Service)
> Citizen's Guide to the Control of Invasive Plants in Wetland and Riparian Areas (Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay) April 2003.

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Biological Control

Biological control involves controlling one organism with another organism. For example, Cane Toads were introduced to control Cane Beetles in Australia. Unfortunately, Cane Toads have now become a problem species in that country. We should be careful about introducing new species into an area.

> Biological Control: A Guide to Natural Enemies in North America (Cornell University)
> Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States. USDA Forest Service Publication FHTET-2002-04. Accessed May 16, 2005 online at http://www.invasiveplants.net/invasiveplants/biologicalcontrol/default.asp
> Purple Loosestrife Biological Control manual for educators (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)

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Chemical Control

Chemical control usually involves application of herbicides and pesticides. Herbicides are chemical agents that are used to destroy or inhibit plant growth. Pesticides are chemical agents that are used to kill or inhibit the growth or reproduction of pests such as insects.

> Herbicides and Weed Control Web page (Weed Science Society of America)
> Herbicide Effectiveness Table (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
> Herbicides for Weed and Brush Control in Natural Areas (Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin)
> General Principles for Controlling Nonnative Invasive Plants (Miller, James H. 2003)
> Aquatic Herbicidal Control (Plant Management in Florida Waters)
> Management of Invasive Exotic Plants with Herbicides in Florida (1996). Down to Earth 51(2):22-28.
> International Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds (www.WeedScience.com)

Physical or Mechanical Control

Physical control methods include things like mowing and hand-pulling of invasive plants, or inserting barriers like nets that prevent fish from entering a river or lake.

> Targeted Grazing: A Natural Approach to Vegetation Management and Landscape Enhancement. A handbook on grazing as a new ecological service. A new handbook was released in December, 2006 that outlines the basics of applying targeted grazing for vegetation management. This handbook includes 18 chapters and represents a compilation of the latest research on harnessing livestock to graze targeted vegetation in ways that improve the function and appearance of a wide variety of landscapes. The handbook was create through funding from the National Sheep Industry Association and the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI). The handbook is available on-line at: http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/rx-grazing/Handbook.htm. Printed copies of the handbook will be available through ASI (info(at)sheepusa.org) for $25 in March 2007.
> Chapter 1: Manual & Mechanical Techniques. In Weed Control Methods Handbook, The Nature Conservancy, Tu et al.
> Mechanical Control of Aquatic Plants. History and Overview. Plant Management in Florida Waters. (Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, Institute of Food and Agricultural Services, University of Florida).
> Mechanical/Physical Control of Non-Native Invasive Aquatic and Wetland Plants. (Aquatic Plant Information System [APIS] Engineer Research and Development Center USACE.

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More information on controlling invasive species

Hint! For information on controlling invasive species see our Frequently Asked Questions section. For information on controlling invasive plants in the garden, visit our gardening section.

Information on preventing the spread of invasive species

> Manager's Toolkit: Prevention of Invasive Species

> Weed Prevention web page (Center for Invasive Plant Management) - includes Practical Steps to Weed Prevention.
> Montana Weed Prevention Areas. Quote: "Protecting Montana from Invasive Weeds. Like Weed Management Areas, Weed Prevention Areas (WPAs) follow a cooperative, local-level strategy in which stakeholders within a geographic area work collectively to manage common weed problems."

> How Trade Politics Affect Invasive Species Control (2004, M. Margolis and J. F. Shogren, Resources for the Future)

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