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Submodule 3: Invasive Plants
Methods of Control
Biological control of purple loosestrife
with beetles (photo courtesy NPS,
Saint Gaudens National Historic Site)
Mehcanical control (photo courtesy NOAA)
When trying to control an established infestation, workers use three primary methods:
- Biological control
Use of a plant’s natural enemies to control its growth and establishment. There have been some important success stories on the use of biological control against weeds. In California, Nevada, Oregon, and surrounding areas, St. John’s Wort was successfully controlled by this method. In other instances, newly released biological control organisms have themselves become invasive, sort of a “backfire” in attempting biological control.
- Mechanical control
This method of invasive plant control involves physical removal of weeds; mainly chopping, pulling, and burning. This is a method most people have used in their own back yards.
- Chemical control
This method involves the use of herbicides, which are chemicals that interfere with the physiology of plants and slow or terminate their growth or function.
Chemical control -- applying herbicide
(photo courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service)
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