Rational Environmental Solutions Tree

Pest Solutions

Bugs And Weeds,

Lawns To LakesTM

NON NATIVE PESTS:

A Brief introduction:

TEXPEST, Pest Control From Rational Environmental Solutions (903) 216-1408 etexbiz@gmail.com

NOTE: These pests may also be called "Invasives" "Prohibited Exotic Species" and "Noxious Weeds" among other less appropriate names.

The first "non native" pest to come to mind, is the imported red fire ant., but there are many others . these include, some pests that are crosses between native and non native pests, such as the Africanized honey bees. As the world becomes more integrated, we can expect more of both types.

When a life form moves from it's native environment into a new situation, a lot of things can happen. In many cases, it will not thrive, and may eventually die out. In some cases, it may integrate well with the new surroundings, and become almost like a native. Often, the non native species will bring with it, pathogens which may have adverse effects on the native population, and in a few extreme cases, this has led to the extinction of the related native species. Some non natives react much differently in a new environment, finding more food sources, or higher nutrient levels, they may escalate beyond the normal control measures, and become a serious nuisance. This has been the case with the introduction of "Johnsongrass" and "bahaigrass", both thought to be a good pasture grasses at the time, which then grew out of control in their new environment.

Two non native plants causing serious problems today, are kudzu, and hydrilla.

Kudzu:

Kudzu, a native to Japan, Asia and China, was introduced in the U.S. in the 1870's as a grazing crop, and an ornamental vine. It's use was encouraged as an erosion control. In the Southeastern United States, it found growing conditions which caused it to escalate, and become a serious environmental threat. It now destroys Forrest and crop lands, dismantles fences, encroaches on roads and bridges, and threatens power lines. I have observed it on warm summer days, elongating, swaying, finding a weed and wrapping around it, and elongating more, in just a matter of minutes. It appears almost animal like in such conditions.

Hydrilla:

Hydrilla Verticillata, was introduced into our environment in the 1960's when it was dumped from aquariums into waterways in Florida. It was native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. In the Southeastern United States, it found favorable growing conditions and now presents a problem for us in our ponds and lakes. It can reproduce vegetatively, and therefore mechanical harvesting causes the risk of spreading. It also reproduces from tubers which can lie dormant for several years, and from seed. This plant has been linked to several drowning deaths in the United States, and is a problem for recreational boating, water sports and swimming. Fishermen seem to like it for the cover it provides for game fishing, but left uncontrolled, it makes even this sport a near impossibility.

Fire Ants:

The imported red fire ant, is a native of South America, but has found new homes in several parts of the world. It was introduced into the United States in the 1930's through a port in Mobile Alabama, and now makes it's home in the entire bottom half of the country. Their bites can be painful, causing itching, burning, swelling and stinging, normally accompanied with small liquid bumps where the bite occurs. They have a pheromone signaling capability, that allows them to deploy, and then, all attack on command. The bites can be deadly under some circumstances, and the ants can cause property damage. They are the likely cause of the disappearance of many ground nesting birds as well.

While eradicating fire ants may not be possible, some control is possible using a combination of baits broadcast over a wide area, and individual mound treatments with pesticides labeled for this purpose.

Tropical Soda Apple:

This one hasn't really gotten to us here in East Texas, at least not that I am aware of, but be assured, it is on the way. It has already caused economic damage in Florida, where it now infests over 750,000 acres. The plant has been described as the "weed from hell", and is on it's way to a place near you! This native of Argentina and Brazil, is prickly and thorny and very aggressive, has about 400 seed per fruit, and is readily transferred from one place to another on animal fur and in droppings. Controls other than herbicides and cutting do not yet exist, but research is ongoing.

Africanized Honey Bees:

These hybrids of European Bees and the more aggressive African bees, are sometimes called "killer Bees" as a result of the tendency to swarm. They have made their way into parts of our area, but have so far not posed a wide scale threat. Among bee keepers in their area of highest concentration they are fairly low on the list of concerns.

Asian Tiger Mosquitoes:

These natives of the Asian continent, have found their way into Texas. They pose the same problems as our other home grown varieties, serving as hosts to a variety of diseases.

This page will have new content as time allows. For a wider list, take a look at www.texasinvasives.org and for a short listing of trees, vines, and aquatic pests found on the noxious weed list or the prohibited exotic species list see www.alienpest.com which also includes some short articles on the subject.

Copyright (C) 2007 James Burns Note: The material on these pages is original content except where noted otherwise. This is the contents point of origin. Some of this content can also be found on blogs, and is published though ezines and various other media on the internet and in print, where it is on loan from the author. "Bugs and Weeds, Lawns to Lakes" is a trademark of Rational Environmental Solutions and TexPest, and is included on alienpest.com and enviroprotex.com our informational sites.

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