Aquatic Weed Control – Eurasian Milfoil, an Invasive Danger to US Waters – Milfoil Control Options

The Eurasian milfoil is a soft looking plant that was once a familiar flora to find in fresh water fish tanks.

All The Same, It did not stay there. Eurasian Milfoil has outstayed its welcome and has become a danger to all expanses of water in The northern Us.

In its domestic Eurasian environment it is a comparatively innocent plant (but still a bit of a pest) but here, out of its regular waters, it takes over and demolish ecosystems, clogs water intakes and power plants, and makes them undesirable for recreational purposes.

A Number Of theories are around that explain its foundation. Some suppose that the water flora was introduced into our waters after clinging to a ship that sailed from Europe or Asia. The idea is sound.  Tests show that 25% of boats that have been in infested water have some milfoil stuck to them. Another explanation is that aquariums containing the water plant or live worm boxes containing the plant were dumped into lakes, rivers, or streams.

One of the plants worst characteristics is that it is able to live in almost every aquatic surroundings in North America. This hazardous water plant is not particular about any temperature and will survive in mild or cool waters. Whether the lakes and river of the Rockies or the marshes of the South, this flora will be at home in any water. Milfoil is not a culinary treat to any creatures.

Upon introduction, milfoil grows quick and forms mats slightly below the surface, preventing other flora growth. Some of these, like millet, are a favorite of water fowl and others serve as the home ground of fry, an important part of the ecosystem. It also impedes the fishing of land animals. In addition to causing problems for local wildlife, these tangled plants cut the amount of wind reaching the water, which the oxygen levels of water making it difficult for fish to expand and giving algae and unfair chance at growth.

For humans, it causes problems as well. When milfoil has become established in a expanse of water, bathers are no longer able to enjoy shoreline bathing. With fewer fish, fewer individuals will want to fish in milfoil infested waters. Milfoil is also a problem for sailors because it can become trapped on the engine, cause risks for water skiers and block navigation hazards from the sailors view.

Residential Areas and companies are also put at a disadvantage because of this small water plant. Water intakes or over flows can get clogged leading to shortages in some places and flooding in others. The large mats can also get caught up in dikes causing damage and electrical energy output losses.

Milfoil control has been challenging. Poisonous Substances are not a good answer because they kill the whole ecosystem. Physically removing the flora isn t fully productive because the bits that break off can form new plants somewhere else. Harvesting machines are rarely used as they too break some of the plants, which can in reality cause further growth. Milfoil has been more successfully removed by vacuum dredging, which can pick up any broken pieces left behind. The best answer is a little weevil that loves to consume milfoil and is able to naturally reinstate an ecological equilibrium.

Many other invasive species have gotten out of control; milfoil is just one example of what can happen and how the problem can be resolved. When out of their natural surroundings, some plants and beasts can become a threat to the native ecosystem. Just ask the South about kudzu.