Invasive Species Control

Invasive species control is the crucial first step of almost every project.

Our team designs optimal control plans and applies them effectively to achieve lasting suppression of all types of invasive species

Explore and document the unique soil composition, hydrologic profile, and existing vegetation of each site to determine the most suitable control measures.

We employ both mechanical and targeted chemical controls to treat invasives while protecting indigenous native plant populations.

Installing a simple native meadow completes invasive control by preventing their return. Site prep includes creating the meadow seed bed and removing debris.

Ongoing stewardship is key to maintaining invasive populations at a low level. We can help identify and treat new infestations before they become problems.

Invasive species infestations degrade habitat quality and threaten the resilience of native plant communities. These species are often hardy and difficult to manage. Whatever your invasive species problem, ArcheWild® can leverage our years of experience to find a lasting solution.

Our experienced team of ecologists can design a treatment program that achieves long-term suppression of all types of invasive species, while also selectively preserving remnant native plant communities. We will work with you to develop a management plan that is suitable for your unique site characteristics and individual goals.

We are experienced in all types of invasive species control, including chemical, mechanical and cultural management techniques. All of our team leads are trained and licensed pesticide applicators. We can select the most appropriate techniques and timing to maximize the impact of every treatment, while also utilizing integrated pest management strategies to minimize the need for chemical control.

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Large Mechanical Clearing

For dense, extensive infestations of hardy invasives like barberry, autumn olive, wineberry, multiflora rose, bamboo, kudzu, and more, a large clearing event is often an important first step of an invasive species management program. Specialized equipment is used to mow down invasives and pile or chip the debris.

Care is taken to preserve any desirable native species during clearing, and this type of project often entails a preliminary botanical survey to identify and mark any valuable vegetation. This type of clearing leaves the understory open and readily accessible and brings any invasive regrowth down to a manageable size for follow-up treatment.

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Selective Control

Most invasive species are highly resilient against mechanical control alone, making chemical control a key component of the management strategy for these species. Chemical control can reduce propagation via seeds or rhizomes and enter the root systems of target plants to prevent regrowth.

Selective herbicides are used whenever possible to prevent impacts to non-target species, and herbicides are applied in a highly targeted manner and in the lowest effective concentrations. Selecting appropriate treatment timing is crucial to ensure that each treatment is effective and minimize the need for follow-up treatments.

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Aquatic and Riparian Invasives

Riparian and aquatic ecosystems face a number of challenges from highly aggressive invasive species like reed canary grass, phragmites, cattail and Japanese knotweed. These species are particularly difficult to control, and it can take years of investment to achieve long term suppression. 

Additionally, aquatic ecosystems are particularly sensitive, meaning not all control methods are suitable in these settings.

Our trained pesticide applicators utilize specially designed, aquatic-safe herbicide formulations on these sites to ensure there are no unintended impacts to these ecosystems. ArcheWild® has successfully converted many overgrown shorelines to thriving native riparian buffers.

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Cultural Control of Invasives

Once invasive species populations have been managed sufficiently that establishing competitive vegetation is possible, a cover crop of native grasses or perennials can be a highly effective technique for combating invasive regeneration.

The cover crop may or may not be part of the intended long-term plant community for the site, but its primary purpose is to utilize open space and light, making those resources less available to invasive regrowth. The reduced regrowth in turn reduces the amount of investment that is needed to maintain the site.

In the right setting, a cover crop can be one key component of an integrated pest management approach. We can help select the most appropriate cover crop species for your site based on its unique environmental conditions.

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Manual Control Techniques

In some specific settings, mechanical control, or even hand-weeding, may be effective on its own.

This includes situations where invasive species populations are small enough for a mechanical control approach to be cost effective and successful, or in select areas where invasive species are growing in close proximity with desirable native plant populations.

In such settings, selectively cutting, digging or pulling invasive species at the appropriate time may be a suitable method of control.

Our team can help you determine whether this is a suitable approach for your particular situation.

ARCHEWILD 2024 - INVASIVE CONTROL MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL
Coordination between ground teams and vehicle operators is essential for everyone's safety.
ARCHEWILD 2024 - INVASIVE CONTROL MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL
ArcheWild ecologist clearing invasives with a brush cutter near a stream to protect banks and water.
ARCHEWILD 2024 - INVASIVE CONTROL MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL
ArcheWild ecologist clearing brush from a slope inaccessible to equipment.
ARCHEWILD 2024 - INVASIVE CONTROL MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL
Large infestations are best treated first with forestry mowers to make way for follow-up treatments.
ARCHEWILD 2024 - INVASIVE CONTROL MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL
ArcheWild ecologists performing land clearing prior to invasive control.
ARCHEWILD 2024 - INVASIVE CONTROL MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL
Sites in this invaded condition can barely support our native flora.
ARCHEWILD 2024 - INVASIVE CONTROL MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL
ArcheWild ecologist applying herbicide to large invasive thickets.
ARCHEWILD 2024 - INVASIVE CONTROL MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL
Hand clearing with loppers is sometimes necessary.