• Are animals and plants that have become established in areas outside their natural range and have the potential to harm the environment, economy and/or society.
     
  • Threaten our natural biodiversity by displacing native species and disrupting food chains.
     
  • Once established it is often difficult or impossible to eliminate them - that is why it is so important to prevent their spread!
     
  • Some non-native aquatic plants can rapidly take over natural environments. If you have a garden pond, build it well away from natural water sources and plant native species only.
     
  • Knowing what you are planting, eliminating your lawn, and having a natural shoreline are great ways to prevent invasive plant spread.
 
Dispose of invasive plant species by placing in a garbage bag in the sun for at least five days. After this, the material can be put in the garbage or burned. Do not compost because the seeds or plant matter may not fully break down and continue to spread.
 

To learn more please visit:

  • Invasive Alien Species in NS Guide: www.merseytobeatic.ca
  • Invading Species: www.invadingspecies.com
  • Search "Grow me instead" in a search engine to view a great gardening guide.

 


Alien Invasive Species ID Guide

 

SOME INVASIVE SPECIES TO WATCH FOR:

Glossy Buckthorn
Garlic Mustard
Multiflora Rose
Yellow Floating Heart
Dutch Elm Disease
Common Reed
Scotch Pine
Scotch Broom
Woodland Angelica
Purple Loosestrife
Spiny-cheeked Crayfish
Giant Hogweed
Reed Canary Grass
Himalayan Balsam
Rugosa Rose
Yellow Iris
Japanese Knotweed
Flowering Rush
Chain Pickerel
Smallmouth Bass

 


Removing Glossy Buckthorn

 

Resources:
Pesticide Free…A Guide to Natural Lawn and Garden Care
Provides tips on lawn and garden care and natural pest management techniques. Prepared by the City of Toronto. Search the title in a search engine to view and download a pdf.