/r/invasivespecies

Photograph via snooOG

Focused on the very important environmental issue of noxious exotic species from around the world invading, degrading and destroying native ecosystems and costing nations billions.

Our submission content consists of news, educational resources, discussion and photos of field sightings.
The goal of the sub is to better inform and educate our subscribers on the critical topic of invasive species.


An invasive species is an organism not native to a specific location, with a sustained population and which damages the environment, human economy and/or human health

This is an important topic, since many organisms, especially island populations, are threatened or already extinct at the hands of these noxious invaders.


Post flairs

Sighting

For reporting sightings of invasive species. Please include a location and proof!


Management

For questions, discussions and articles on managing invasive species.


News

For full articles on invasive species issues.


Impacts

For posts on the problems invasive species cause.


Law and Policy

For the laws, policies and regulations around invasive species.


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  • /r/invasivespecies

    22,730 Subscribers

    8

    Would this method be okay?

    I have several tall Privet bushes along the outside of my fence (still on my property). And I was wondering if once I cut them down, could I just place a pot over the stump in order to prevent it from getting light? Would this kill it due to lack of light? Or would the Privet just send shoots outside of the pot?

    2 Comments
    2024/12/04
    01:21 UTC

    12

    Best tool for clearing invasive brush?

    I'm clearing an area that is almost completely invasive, including bittersweet and porcelain berry. As I cut the mature invasives back and clear the land, the seedlings are gonna go completely crazy. I'm wondering which tool, a 20v string trimmer, a 60v string trimmer, or brush cutter, would be necessary to cut back the regrowth (seedlings and maybe re-sprouts). I know pulling the weeds is preferable, but it's quite possible I will be overwhelmed and need to clear cut. (I'm not allowed to use herbicide.) My question: Does a 60v string trimmer cut tougher/thicker weeds than a 20v? I don't know. Most reviews just talk about lawn care and battery life, which isn't relevant to my job. How tough would a weed have to be for a brush cutter to be necessary rather than the 60v string trimmer?

    37 Comments
    2024/12/03
    19:39 UTC

    20

    How late into the winter can you control Buckthorn with a cut-stump herbicide application?

    I'm located in the Twin Cities area of MN, and I've been helping some family friends control invasive species on their property (mainly Garlic Mustard, Buckthorn, and invasive Honeysuckles). We've gotten the garlic mustard mostly under control after a few years, but there is a decent amount of Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) regrowing.

    I was planning to cut the stumps and apply glyphosate (I've read a 20% concentration works) sometime around now, but it has been really cold which has diminished my motivation to get outside and cut and treat the buckthorn lol. This area is also basically a ravine.

    It is supposed to warm up a little in a week... Can I still control buckthorn this far into the season?

    5 Comments
    2024/12/02
    21:16 UTC

    9

    Are there any stable jobs out there (preferably in Missouri) where I can remove invasives?

    So I got laid off on October 25 from Otto's Environmental Improvements. It was honestly the worst time b/c we're approaching winter & practically every outdoor gig hires in the spring. The job I had entailed removing invasive plants & overgrowth for the Kansas City metro (namely bush honeysuckle), but they ran out of work due to the customer base dropping off in August.

    So, I've been looking for jobs in that general area (forest conservation) & haven't had much luck in regards to responses from applications. I had an interview with my county Parks & Rec, but they rejected b/c I didn't have experience with road work (it was for equipment operator).

    Who out there is hiring for invasive removal? I'm even willing to relocate if it means stability. If not, is there a place in the environmental sector where I can get experience & not be automatically counted out for not having enough experience b/c I keep getting rejected for not having experience?

    8 Comments
    2024/12/02
    04:41 UTC

    129

    Massive phragmites infestation near NYC. By far the worst invasive plant for wetlands in the region in my opinion

    39 Comments
    2024/12/02
    00:34 UTC

    88

    Simple pleasure of the honeysuckle battle... pausing to watch migrating sandhill cranes...

    4 Comments
    2024/12/01
    19:59 UTC

    21

    Japanese knotweed

    When we purchased our home, it had a copse of Japanese Knotweed. At first we liked i,as it grew tall enough for privacy from the neighbors. We then looked it up and discovered how invasive it is. I’ve read all you can do is dig it up-deep- to get rid of it. Any other suggestions?

    26 Comments
    2024/12/01
    13:46 UTC

    6

    Could sturgeon be invasive?

    Here in Myanmar, sturgeon farming has been introduced in recent years, and sturgeons have been reported in various natural habitats of the country. Although they are not common, locals occasionally encounter them. Could they be invasive and destructive to the environment? Should we kill them? However, all sturgeon species are endangered or critically endangered. What do you think?

    2 Comments
    2024/11/30
    10:06 UTC

    337

    Parents came back from vacation with a burning bush plant.

    Title. I asked mom and she said it was dad's choice... she told him how it was invasive and will be illegal to purchase soon in our area (Northeast USA) but he bought it anyway. How can I try to get through to him that this plant HAS to go? I was considering trying to get him to bring it inside as a houseplant, but I'm concerned he won't relent. Please let me know what you guys think.

    edit: there is no law barring sales of burning bush in NJ, but there WILL be one in PA starting in 2025.

    183 Comments
    2024/11/29
    21:19 UTC

    6

    Buckthorn Blaster

    Should I just buy the buckthorn blaster or get the bingo marker it is based off of due to costs?

    13 Comments
    2024/11/27
    18:58 UTC

    44

    Caught some pearl cichlids today established in this body of water come from pet fish being dumped

    5 Comments
    2024/11/27
    06:58 UTC

    364

    This wintercreeper was over 30 years old before meeting the saw.

    42 Comments
    2024/11/27
    04:11 UTC

    5

    Too cold to stump treat privet this season?

    I had been planning to stump treat some privet this fall but have been busy with other things. The temperature this week is 30's at night and 40's during the day. Located in western NY state. Using Brushtox (61% Triclopyr). Should I wait until next year or will the herbicide still work in these temperatures? Also should I dilute the Brushtox or apply as is? Thanks!

    16 Comments
    2024/11/25
    23:59 UTC

    15

    What Ancient Invasive Species Can Tell Us About Modern Ones w/Dr. Alycia Stigall | GEO GIRL

    1 Comment
    2024/11/25
    03:36 UTC

    0

    Nobody told me eradicating and invasive species would be this much damn fun

    a common invasive species in my area is the spotted lantern fly, I often look for lantern flies to stomp on or slow crush and it's so much fun,,, sometimes I'll even stop on only their abdomenes

    In fact, I even have a bucket of water on my porch specifically designed for when I see a lanternfly, even if I'm not near home, I often store them in the zippable pockets of my coat or pants, once I get home, they go directly in the bucket, and they dance for a while so that's nice, I make sure to leave them in there for a good few days, also the water is nice and cold so they last long et

    If I'm feeling really fancy, q I'll take one or two lantern-flies and put them under my bearded dragon's heat lamp, turn it on, and let them thoroughly cook, looks like I'll have some nice new ornaments to put on the Christmas tree this year

    It's a win-win for both parties, I'm doing my part to remove an invasive species from the environment and having fun

    Q Next I'm coming for the Rusty crayfish

    19 Comments
    2024/11/24
    19:57 UTC

    102

    My hot take

    Saying that you’re entitled to grow invasive plants along your property line because it’s YOUR property is like saying you’re entitled to smoke on a plane because they’re YOUR lungs.

    32 Comments
    2024/11/21
    18:57 UTC

    6

    ID plz

    See above.

    Restoring a handful of abandoned lots in Detroit. We’ve got it all — Siberian elm, white mulberry, English ivy, Japanese barberry, to name a few. Good news is we are making headway, and are determined to get this place back to health.

    9 Comments
    2024/11/19
    22:06 UTC

    2

    Help getting rid of Calystegia

    I have two native shrubs growing together in a bed, and unfortunately some Calystegia sepium has made its way into the soil.

    Alright, my bad, I left it unchecked many years. Now it's completely tangled between the woody roots of the shrubs and every summer threatens to completely cover their branches.

    The bitch grows faster than I can pull it out, but for now is my best approach to the situation.

    It's spring over here. I'm trying to remove any stalk I see sprouting as soon as they come out of the ground. Sometimes I pull along parts of the rhizomes. They keep appearing every two days but they seem in part to be coming back weaker and thinner.

    If I keep doing this all summer and autumn, is it possible to kill the plant by next year? At least to a point where I have to only check on it every now and then and not every single day.

    Herbicides are not a suitable option for me at the moment. Anyone has any suggestion or can at least share some experience with the management of this plant?

    0 Comments
    2024/11/19
    21:31 UTC

    11

    Killing tree of heaven in winter?

    I have 7 medium sized tree of heaven trees growing along my fence, too close to the house. They were here when I bought the house and obviously I’d like to remove them. They’re all a little under 1 foot wide at the trunk, some closer to 6” wide. I stupidly cut the biggest one down when I first moved in and of course it sent hundreds shoots out for over a year. I still can’t kill the stump (tried countless herbicides cut into it).

    My question is, will they grow in the winter? Is there any way to remove them this winter? I’ve read the herbicide needs to be applied June-October but I’m worried they’ll be even more huge by then. Plus one is caught IN the fence and about to take it down. I have the liquid harvest Trio (Triclopyr) to hack & spray.

    11 Comments
    2024/11/19
    16:25 UTC

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