LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Internationally, people around the world are working to spread the word about National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) through March 3.

How can Michiganders be involved?

In support of NISAW, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is encouraging Michiganders to take part in the week and help prevent the spread of invasive species.

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“Invasive species are plants, animals, insects, and pathogens not native to an area and can cause serious harm to the environment, economy, agriculture, or public health,” MDARD said in a statement. “These pests often are fast growing, reproduce rapidly, and have few predators or natural controls in their new environments.”

Steve Carlson, MDARD Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director weighed in on MDARD’s work.

“Our department works tirelessly to prevent the spread of these pests, but getting everyone involved in prevention and detection is key to the fight against invasive species,” said Carleson in a statement.

Michigan’s new invasive species: what’s at stake?

Jennifer Holton, Director of Communications for MDARD shared one of the newest invasive species in the state.
“Spotted Lanternfly was detected for the first time in Michigan in 2022,” Holton said in an email to Michigan News Source. “SLF has the potential to have devastating impacts on the state’s extensive specialty crops like grapes, apples, and hops to name a few.”

Holton also illustrated for Michigan News Source what is at stake if invasive species are not removed.

“Each year, invasive pests destroy up to 40 percent of food crops around the world and cause billions of dollars in production and trade losses,” Holton said in the email to Michigan News Source. “Additionally, the changing climate and increasing loss of biodiversity are made worse when invasive species alter our natural ecosystems.”

How can Michiganders help limit the spread of invasive species?

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MDARD provided several ways to help limit the spread of invasive species:

  • Buy heat-treated firewood or buy wood where you burn it to avoid transporting insects or tree diseases that may be hitchhiking untreated wood.
  • When returning from international travel, declare food, plants and other agricultural items to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure these items are pest-free.
  • Avoid buying seeds or plants online from unknown vendors.
  • After enjoying the outdoors, inspect and clean shoes, clothing, gear and vehicles to assure they are pest and seed free.

It’s time to “Bug Out.”

MDARD also recommends watching the Buggin’ Out video series to learn more about the various invasive pests that threaten plants and agriculture in Michigan. The most recent video addresses how to evaluate Christmas Trees and making sure that they aren’t carrying Spongy Moth, also called Lymantria Dispar, a caterpillar that affects mostly hardwoods but can also affect Christmas trees.

“What we do for Christmas tree inspections that are going to be moving from Michigan to outside of the quarantine area, which is basically anywhere westward, southward part of the country,” said Amber Neils, Quarantine Compliance and Export Specialist for MDARD, “We make sure that there are no life stages of Spongy Moth on any of the trees that could then escape when they enter those other states.”

Neils acknowledged that the caterpillars lay egg masses on the tree trunks, which will not necessarily kill the trees but could be transported and then infest a new area.

MDARD encourages residents to report signs of invasive plant pests and diseases to MDARD through the Michigan Invasive Species website or at 800-292-3939.