Invasive Plant Removal Services
Wild Roots Native Nursery offers a wide range of solutions that can help control and eradicate invasive species and non-native pests & plants, and restore proper ecosystem function.
What Is An Invasive Species?
An invasive species is a non-native species (including seeds, eggs, spores, or other propagules) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to human health. The term “invasive” is used for the most aggressive species. These species grow and reproduce rapidly, causing major disturbance to the areas in which they are present.
Things To Know:
- Invasive species, if left uncontrolled, can and will limit land use now and into the future.
- The longer we ignore the problem, the harder and more expensive the battle for control will become.
- The United States suffers from $1.1-120 billion per year in economic losses due to exotic, invasive species.
- Approximately 42% of Threatened or Endangered species are at risk due to non-native, invasive species.
General FAQ's about Invasive Plant Removal
I am a Gardener…why should I care about invasive species?
Invasive plant species threaten natural areas and can invade your garden. Landscape plants that seed freely, like privet, can cause extra work for gardeners. Seedlings must be weeded out before they take over and displace plants which you painstakingly planted in your garden. Plants such as wisteria can spread quickly from your garden onto other people’s property, decreasing both their enjoyment of their property and their enjoyment of you as a neighbor. Even plants which seem manageable in your garden may be spreading seeds into natural areas. The fruits on many plants, such as nandina and coral ardisia, are eaten and spread by birds, causing infestations many miles away.
What can gardeners do to help prevent the spread of invasive species?
- Go native! There are a wide variety of beautiful, easy to care for native plants available. Look for an alternative plant list for your state/region. The butterflies and other pollinators will love it!
- Never use invasive species in your landscaping.
- Remove invasive plants from your garden.
- Until you can rid your garden of invasive plants, be responsible and remember to remove and destroy seed heads before they can be spread. Also, never propagate invasives or share cuttings from invasives with other gardeners. Talk to other gardeners about invasives and how you plan to help in the fight against them.
- If you are worried that your garden will lose its luster after removing invasives, talk to your local native plant society or exotic pest plant council. These organizations will be able to suggest suitable native replacements.
- Before choosing a native plant alternative, first think about the characteristics of the invasive plant you are replacing. For example, if you like the showy fruits of autumn olive, try replacing it with American bittersweet. If you like Japanese wisteria for its vining habit and fragrant flowers, consider replacing it with American wisteria. If you like purple loosestrife for its vibrant magenta flowers, plant fireweed or purple coneflower instead.
What Can I Do to Fight Invasive Species?
- Eradicate or control populations of invasive species on your own land. Wild Roots Native Nursery is happy to help you schedule an amazing Invasive Removal Team to help you rid your property of invasives.
- The simplest thing anybody can do to help fight invasive species is to not plant or transmit an invasive species.
- Educate yourself and keep up to date on the status of these and other pests.
- Check to see if a plant is invasive before planting it.
- Do not empty aquariums or dump houseplants into the wild.
- Be sure to clean your shoes and brush off your clothes after being in an area with invasive species.
- Report any occurrence of invasive species to your local county extension agent, Georgia Forestry Commission office, or to other federal or state natural resource or agricultural agencies.
- Volunteer with natural resource agencies to control invasive species.
- Spread the word; tell your neighbors if you see invasive species on their land.
What are the Top Ten Invasive Plants in the Atlanta Area? *Note, most of these plants are still sold at many nurseries.
- English Ivy, Hedera helix
- Japanese Chaff Flower, Achyranthes japonica
- Japanese Honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica
- Japanese Hops, Humulus japonicus
- Japanese Knotweed, Fallopia japonica
- Japanese Stiltgrass, Microstegium vimineum
- Kudzu, Pueraria montana
- Mondo & Monkey Grass, Ophiopogon japonicus & Liriope muscari/spicata
- Privet (Chinese/Glossy/Japanese), Ligustrum sinense/lucidum/japonicum
- Wisteria (Chinese/Japanese), Wisteria sinensis/floribunda
How Can I Get More Information on Invasive Plant Removal Service?
For more information on how our Invasive Plant Removal Service works, please contact us.