Submodule 8: How Invasive Plants Are Controlled

Steps to Follow for Weed Control

When attempting to control a weed infestation, it is important to:

• Learn how weed infestations have been managed in the past in the local area.
• You can acquire information from your local Cooperative Extension office or CWMA, for example.
• Prioritize goals – Ask the following questions:
• Do you aim to eradicate or merely contain an infestation?
• Which weeds are your highest priorities in the short-vs. long-term?
• What are the potential impacts of the various weeds that you may treat?
• Which weeds are listed on federal, state, or county noxious weed lists?
• Carefully follow the progress of your efforts and make corrections to your activities as needed.
• As you remove plants from an area, site disturbance often results which can help spread invasive plants (e.g., competition for resources changes which may promote germination of weed seeds).
• Remember it is important that while you want to rid an area of invasive plants, you also want to promote restoration of the native plant community to the extent possible. Once a target weed is controlled, seeds and vegetative root stalks of desirable plant species can regain a competitive advantage.
• Get help when needed from local weed experts that understand your area and local problem weeds.

Eradication may be possible if the infestation is small. For example, a private landowner might be able to eradicate a 5-acre infestation over a period of several years if (s)he is persistent in applying the correct combination of treatments. Careful, continued monitoring of the site after an initial treatment is essential so that follow-up treatments can be applied as necessary.