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National Invasive Species Information Center
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Home » Resources » Resources by Subject » Control and Management » Control Mechanisms

Control Mechanisms

There are three main methods used for control of invasive species -- biological, mechanical, and chemical.

  • Biological control is the intentional manipulation of natural enemies by humans for the purpose of controlling pests.
  • Mechanical control includes mowing, hoeing, cultivation, and hand pulling.
  • Chemical control is the use of herbicides.

You can also use a combination of these three methods in an integrated weed management approach which some authorities would consider as the fourth method.

Spotlights

Selected Resources

The section below contains highly relevant resources for this subject, organized by source. Or, to display all related content view all resources for Control Mechanisms.

Council or Task Force

Use of Fire as a Tool for Controlling Invasive Plants (2006)
California Invasive Plant Council.
The goal of this report is to capture the current state of knowledge on the use of fire as a tool to manage invasive plants in wildlands. By providing a more thorough source of information on this topic, we hope this review facilitates improved decision making when considering the use of prescribed burning for the management of invasive plants.

Partnership

Aquatic Nuisance Species Control Methods
Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel.
Contains a compilation of known control methods for selected aquatic and wetland nuisance species.
Ask a Weed Management Question

USDA. ARS. Integrated Weed Management Resource Center.

The Integrated Weed Management (IWM) Resource Center is a place to find helpful, trustworthy resources on using integrated weed management for herbicide resistant weeds. Provides a clearinghouse of reliable educational resources necessary to integrate new weed management practices successfully, from trusted sources throughout the U.S.
See also: Explore questions and answers

Invasive Mussel Collaborative - Control Methods
DOI. U.S. Geological Survey; Great Lakes Commission; DOC. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Great Lakes Fishery Commission.
Invasive zebra and quagga mussels alter ecosystem dynamics and affect industrial, municipal, and recreational water users. The negative impacts of these dreissenid mussels drove scientists to search for effective control methods beginning in the early 1990s. Since then, researchers have uncovered various control methods, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Both chemical and physical treatments have been developed and used by state and federal agencies in the control of zebra mussels.
Invasive Plant Control Database
Midwest Invasive Plant Network.
Provides information on how to control many invasive plants common to the Midwestern U.S. Information was collected from both scientific literature and expert opinions and summarized by the Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN), in partnership with the Mark Renz lab from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Invasive Plant Management Guide - Control Information
University of Connecticut. Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group.
This guide is intended to assist with identification of invasive plants and provide information on controlling these problem plants. Included are both non-chemical means of control as well as information on proper use of herbicides where chemical controls are needed. The choice of control measure depends on the size and nature of the infestation. If dealt with early enough, invasive plant problems can often be eliminated by non-chemical methods. However, a herbicide-based approach may be required to control an infestation that has become well established or widespread.
Invasive.org - Invasive Species Management and Control Information
University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.
Regional IPM Centers - NIFA Key Programmatic Contacts

National Information System for the Regional IPM Centers.

Provides various key contacts, coordinators and experts.

Federal Government

Natural Enemies Close In on Fire Ants (Sep 9, 2019)

USDA. ARS. Tellus.

Hunting for natural enemies of the red imported fire ant is paying off for Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists. Their latest discovery — a new virus found in fire ants from Argentina — has the potential of becoming a biological control agent against the red imported fire ants infesting the U.S.

Invasive Species: Control Options and Issues for Congress (Apr 30, 2015) (PDF | 495 KB)

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service.

There are two basic approaches to limiting the spread of invasive species: a species-by-species assessment of the risks or benefits of admitting or excluding species, and a policy based on controlling pathways of entry in which vigilance is maintained on incoming ballast tanks, cargo holds, packing materials, and similar vehicles for unwanted organisms. These two approaches may complement each other. Policymakers also may emphasize prevention over post hoc control or vice-versa, or they may adopt a combination of the two approaches. Congressional Research Service Report R44011.

Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States (Aug 2002)
BugwoodWiki.
Published by: USDA. Forest Service. Publication FHTET-2002-04.
FHTET Biological Control Program
USDA. FS. Forest Health Protection.
The FHTET biological control program (FHTET-BC) is part of the broader Forest Service’s National Strategic Framework for Invasive Species Management as well as regional plans dealing with invasive species. The focus of the FHTET-BC is to demonstrate a strong leadership role in the development and implementation of biological control technologies to manage wide spread infestations of invasive species and to use biological control as a viable component for integrated invasive pest management efforts.
Dangerous Travelers: Controlling Invasive Plants Along America's Roadways

USDA. FS. Invasive Species Program. 
 

 
Published by: USDA. FS. San Dimas Technology and Development Center; National Forest System Invasive Species Program, DOT, Federal Highway Administration; DOI, Fish and Wildlife Service. This video will help maintenance crews recognize and control noxious weeds along roadsides. Road crews that maintain any type road, from interstate highways to aggregate roads, are the frontline in preventing the spread of invasive plants. Note: The video links require Windows Media Player for .wmv files.

International Government

Canadian Ballast Water Program
Transport Canada.

State and Local Government

Bureau of Environment - Invasive Species

New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

To address mounting concerns over invasive plants and the role NHDOT activities play in the spread of these plants along roadsides, Best Management Practices (BMPs) have been developed with input from Maintenance Districts, the Roadside Development Section, the Bureau of Construction, and the NH Department of Agriculture. Implementation of these BMPs will help prevent the spread of invasive plants caused by maintenance and construction activities.

Invasive Species - Control Methods
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Academic

Chemical Weed Control for Field Crops, Pastures, Rangeland, and Noncropland (2019) (PDF | 2.6 MB)

Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service.
See also: Weed Management Publications for more resources
Targeted Grazing: A Natural Approach to Vegetation Management and Landscape Enhancement (Dec 2006)
University of Idaho. Rangeland Ecology and Management.
Prepared by: American Sheep Industry Association
Biological Control of Forest Pests in the Eastern United States

University of Massachusetts - Amherst.
Eradication & Control Information Sheets
California Sea Grant.
These materials are provided for educational purposes only. They are intended to provide a general overview of what is required for implementing tactics to eradicate and control aquatic invasive species (AIS). Although prevention is the best approach, it also is important to be prepared and respond quickly to new infestations and to reduce risks posed by existing infestations.
Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Management Handbook
Oregon State University. Extension Service.
This handbook is intended as a ready reference guide to the control and management tactics for the more important plant diseases in the Pacific Northwest. The specific cultural, biological, and chemical recommendations are intended to manage a specific plant disease but may not always be appropriate under all production circumstances. The synthesis of a specific management recommendation should be done by a qualified individual. For this reason, this book should be used by—and has been expressly written for—county Extension agents, consultants, field and nursery people, and chemical industry representatives. Information in this publication is in a state of constant change.
Plant Management in Florida Waters

University of Florida. IFAS. Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.
Comprehensive site why and how aquatic plants are managed in Florida waters. These five sections (why manage plants; overview of Florida waters, control methods, developing management plans, and research and outreach) will guide you through the many factors considered by Fish and Wildlife Conservation commission (FWC) biologists when developing aquatic plant management plans for Florida waters. Our priority is to manage invasive plants while also conserving and enhancing our unique aquatic habitats and wildlife communities.

Professional

Regional Listening Sessions Give Farmers a Voice in the Battle Against Herbicide Resistance (Feb 27, 2017)

Weed Science Society of America.

Both scientists and regulators have had a lot to say about the growing problem of herbicide resistance and how weed management techniques need to change in response. But there have been few organized opportunities for farmers to make their voices heard and to share their experiences in managing herbicide-resistant weeds.

Biology and Control of Aquatic Plants: A Best Management Practices Handbook (2014)

Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation.

This third edition has been specifically designed with water resource managers, water management associations, homeowners and customers and operators of aquatic plant management companies and districts in mind. The goal in preparing this handbook is to provide basic, scientifically sound information to assist decision makers with their water management questions.

Control of Invasive Species: A Synthesis of Highway Practice (2006)
National Academies. Transportation Research Board.
National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP Synthesis 363). This synthesis reviews federal, state, and regional approaches; prevention, early detection, and rapid responses; identification of aspects of operations and risks; statewide inventories; and information management. In particular, this report synthesizes the state of the practice in developing Integrated (Roadside) Vegetation Management, along with physical, chemical, biological, and cultural control mechanisms.