Invasive species, like emerald ash borer, Asian longhorn beetle, spongy moth and oriental bittersweet threaten Iowa’s ecosystem by competing with and destroying native trees and disrupting the natural complex habitat system. Much of the spread of invasive species comes from people simply enjoying nature. Uninvited guests can hitch a ride on outdoor gear, shoes and clothes, traveling hundreds of miles in a single day. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has the following tips to stop the spread of invasive species:
-Verify that the plants you buy for your yard or garden are not invasive.
-Look for spongy-moth egg masses on all outdoor equipment when traveling from a spongy moth quarantined area.
-Clean your boots before and after you hike in a new area to avoid spreading seeds.
-Do not buy or sell firewood from outside your county.
-Work with your private lands district forester for plans to make your forests more resilient to invasive species.
For more information, go to iowadnr.gov/invasives.
