Introduction

Invasive Species Defined

What's Being Done

 National Invasive Species Information Center

Submodule 5: Invasive Animals

Methods of Control

Mechanical - Hunting and trapping of nutria has been used for decades in an effort to control numbers of nutria, with limited success. In addition, the construction of physical barriers to block the movement of invasive animals has been used.

Chemical - Sea lampreys have been successfully controlled by TFM (3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol) since the late 1950s. The lampricide kills lamprey in the larval stages of their life cycle. Populations of lamprey decreased by 90% and native fish populations began to return. Consistent use is required to control lamprey numbers Unfortunately, TFM has also been shown to be detrimental to some species of native fish.

Biological – Some invasive mammals have been successfully controlled by releasing virulent viral disease into wild populations. Population control was achieved to some degree by releasing parasites specific for particular invasive animals into the wild and by creating sterile males in the case of invasive fish.