Invasive plants are one of the greatest threats to conservation of natural areas in Indiana. Their effects are wide-ranging, including reducing tree growth and forest productivity, decreasing the abundance of native plant species, and providing inferior food and habitat for wildlife. Every woodland owner knows that keeping invasive species from overrunning their land is a constant challenge. Seemingly as soon as one invasive species has been removed, another is waiting in line to take its place. Controlling infestations of invasive plants is both costly and time-consuming.

The best way to avoid making a substantial investment in fighting invasive plants is to prevent their arrival and spread in the first place. Here are some easy ways to keep invasive plants from taking hold on your land. One of the easiest things you can do to prevent invasions is to make sure you aren�t planting invasive species on your land. Species such as Japanese honeysuckle, Asian bittersweet, Japanese barberry, and purple loosestrife were all widely planted in Indiana to beautify yards and commercial properties and have become some of the state�s worst invaders. Reed canary grass, crown vetch, and white and yellow sweet clovers are frequently planted for forage or erosion control but are aggressive invaders of natural areas. Know what you�re buying when you shop for plants, and look for native or non-invasive alternatives. If a friend offers to share a plant that is overly abundant in his or her yard, you may want to think twice. Make sure you know what species you�re getting, or you could inadvertently be spreading invasive plants in your area. For more information on alternatives to commonly planted invasive species, take a look at the Midwest Invasive Plant Network�s (MIPN�s) brochure, entitled �Landscape alternatives for invasive plants of the Midwest�, available at www.mipn.org.

While avoiding intentionally introducing invasive plants is simple once you have the right information about what to plant and what not to plant, many species are accidentally introduced by seeds hiding in the wheels of your car, bike, ATV, or heavy machinery, or even on the soles of your shoes. Some species may be spread in contaminated fill dirt, mulch, gravel, or hay. To prevent these accidental invasions, make sure that you hose down your bikes, cars, and equipment when you have been traveling through an area infested with invasive plants. Brush mud or dirt from the treads of your shoes before entering a natural area to remove any seeds that may be hitchhiking there. For heavily-traveled areas, such as a trail through a park or preserve, consider installing a boot brush station to encourage visitors to clean their shoes off before entering. Boot brush stations are relatively inexpensive and include both a stationary brush at ground level and an interpretive sign that briefly describes the problems caused by invasive plants and how the simple act of cleaning your shoes can prevent invasions in natural areas. Using certified weed-free forage and mulch can also cut down on unintentional spread of invasive plants. For more information about where to get weed-free products in Indiana, contact the Indiana Crop Improvement Center (www.indianacrop.org).

Despite our best efforts to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plants, some new invaders will slip through the cracks. If we catch these new invaders before they become too widespread, we still have a chance of eradicating them through early detection and rapid response. You can learn about new invasive species in the Midwest by looking at the MIPN�s flyer called �Keep a Lookout for New Invasive Plants in the Midwest�, available at www.mipn.org. If you see any of these new invasive plants, be sure to report the sighting to the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab, Purdue University at 765-494- 7071 or 1-866-NOEXOTIC or by email at ppdl@purdue.edu.

More information on identification and current distribution of these and other invasive plants in Indiana can be found on the website of the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/CAPS/plants.html).