Invasive Plant Control Database

Welcome to the Invasive Plant Control Database

This website contains information on how to control many invasive plants common to the Midwestern United States. Information was collected from both scientific literature and expert opinions and summarized by the Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN), in partnership with the Mark Renz lab from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Methods that are uncommon, do not provide sufficient control, or lack information for determining effectiveness on target species are omitted. For each species, information was reviewed by four individuals, including two identified as experts on control of that species. Information is searchable by several fields to improve the user’s ability to find pertinent information. To view the search feature, you must first select an invasive plant. Additionally, users have the option of entering personal experiences with managing specific species (see “add new case studies” under search results). These case studies will be visible to all users once verified by MIPN staff.

We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information or products on the website. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. References to pesticide products on this website are for your convenience and are not an endorsement or guarantee of one product over another.

Step 1: Select Plant

Step 1: Select a species by choosing a common or scientific name from the list, or by typing a name in the search box.

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Step 2: Select Search Parameters

Step 2: Select search parameter(s) of interest. If no parameters are selected all control methods will be displayed. For effectiveness ratings, methods that meet or exceed the criteria selected will be displayed.

Under the Search Results you will find

Plant Identification information – information on species identification, including photographs and a current distribution map.
Ecological Threats – threats posed to natural ecosystems by this species.
Case Studies – Detailed success (and failures) on how to control specific species contributed by experienced personnel.
Non-chemical and chemical control methods that fit the selected search criteria. Please note you are responsible for using pesticides in accordance with the label directions and state and federal laws. Herbicide availability and registered uses vary from state to state. Contact your state department of agriculture for information on the correct use and licensing required for any pesticide application.

You may reset the search criteria or the species you have selected at any time by selecting the corresponding links on the right hand side of the page.

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Case Studies

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Non-Chemical controls

New (Type)	Description
Type - Mowing User Type - Novice Effectiveness - in season 1 2 3 4 year after treatment 1 2 3 4	Mowing as close to the ground as possible can be effective if timed just after the emergence of flower heads, but before seeds enlarge. Plants may resprout and still flower, but rarely produce viable seed. Monitor populations and repeat mowing if concerned about seed production. Care must be taken not to mow when mature seeds could be present as this will spread the seed. While mowing has been reported as an effective means of suppression for the other biennial thistles, there is no data on how many years of mowing are required to control a population.
Type - Prescribed burning User Type - Professional Effectiveness - in season 1 2 3 4 year after treatment 1 2 3 4	Spring burns can kill germinating seedlings and can suppress aboveground growth of established plants depending on fire intensity. After the fire, established plants will quickly resprout and reinvade areas; this management method is not recommended unless integrated with other techniques. Fire may benefit other species well adapted to this management (e.g. prairie grasses), resulting in improved competition with thistles. A hand-held propane torch can be effective for treating seedlings.
Type - Removal User Type - Novice Effectiveness - in season 1 2 3 4 year after treatment 1 2 3 4	Pulling, digging, and cutting the root from the stem are effective individual plant control techniques. Pull or dig if soil conditions allow for the removal of the tap root. Alternately, cut the entire taproot with a sharp shovel or spade 1-2" below the surface. If flowers are present, bag material and dispose of it in a landfill to avoid potential for seed spread.
Type - Grazing User Type - Novice Effectiveness - in season 1 2 3 4 year after treatment 1 2 3 4	The optimal time for grazing is similar to hand pulling. Sheep, goats, and cattle may graze thistles before bud stage to reduce flower production, but grazing is more effective when plants are treated with salt or animals are trained to eat these spiny plants. High intensity short duration grazing of plants for 2-3 years in grass-based pastures can reduce stem densities to low levels. Avoid over-grazing a site as it can suppress other vegetation competing with biennial thistles and result in enhancing populations.
Type - Manipulation of the environment User Type - Novice Effectiveness - in season 1 2 3 4 year after treatment 1 2 3 4	Inter-seeding with competitive grasses can suppress thistles, if grasses successfully establish. This method has been shown to be most effective when combined with other control measures.

Chemical controls

New (Type)	Ingredients	Directions
Type - Foliar User Type - Novice Effectiveness - in season 1 2 3 4 year after treatment 1 2 3 4	Active Ingredient (A.I.): 2,4-D Common product name: Many (Aquatic: DMA 4 IVM; 2,4-D Amine 4)	Rate - (broadcast) 1 - 2 lb a.e./A (spot) Equivalent to broadcast rates. Timing - In spring apply to rosettes, bolting or flowering plants; in fall apply to rosettes as long as leaves are green. Applications to rosettes in the spring or fall are most effective. Caution - Use aquatically labeled product if potential exists for solution to contact surface water. Use of this chemical in areas where soils are permeable, particularly where the water table is shallow, may result in groundwater contamination. Overspray or drift to desirable plants should be avoided, as even minute quantities of the spray may cause severe injury to plants.
Type - Foliar User Type - Professional Effectiveness - in season 1 2 3 4 year after treatment 1 2 3 4	Active Ingredient (A.I.): aminopyralid Common product name: Milestone	Rate - (broadcast) 3 - 5 oz/A (2.25 - 3.75 oz a.i./A (spot) Equivalent to broadcast rates. Timing - In spring apply to rosettes, bolting or flowering plants; in fall apply to rosettes as long as leaves are green. Remarks - Depending on the volume of solution applied per acre, typical mixtures for spot treatments are 2 - 4 mL Milestone per gallon of water. Caution - Do not apply directly to water or to areas where surface water is present. Remains in soil for up to one year depending on application rate. Overspray or drift to desirable plants should be avoided, as even minute quantities of the spray may cause severe injury to plants. Do not compost treated plants as herbicide can persist through composting process.
Type - Foliar User Type - Professional Effectiveness - in season 1 2 3 4 year after treatment 1 2 3 4	Active Ingredient (A.I.): chlorsulfuron Common product name: Telar; Glean	Rate - (broadcast) 0.5 - 2 oz/A (0.4 - 1.5 oz a.i./A) (spot) 0.04 oz/gal (0.03 oz a.i./gal) Timing - In spring apply to rosettes, bolting or flowering plants; in fall apply to rosettes as long as leaves are green. Remarks - Use 1.5 to 2 oz/A for flowering bull thistle. Caution - Do not apply directly to water or to areas where surface water is present. Can remain in the soil for months depending on application rate. Overspray or drift to desirable plants should be avoided, as even minute quantities of the spray may cause severe injury to plants.
Type - Foliar User Type - Professional Effectiveness - in season 1 2 3 4 year after treatment 1 2 3 4	Active Ingredient (A.I.): clopyralid Common product name: Transline	Rate - (broadcast) 8 - 11 fl oz/A (0.2 - 0.25 lb a.e./A) (spot) 0.2 - 0.4% (0.005 - 0.01 lb a.e./gal) Timing - In spring apply to rosettes, bolting or flowering plants; in fall apply to rosettes as long as leaves are green. Caution - Do not apply directly to water or to areas where surface water is present. Use of this chemical in areas where soils are permeable, particularly where the water table is shallow, may result in groundwater contamination. Remains in soil for up to one year depending on application rate. Overspray or drift to desirable plants should be avoided, as even minute quantities of the spray may cause severe injury to plants. Do not compost treated plants as herbicide can persist through composting process.
Type - Foliar User Type - Professional Effectiveness - in season 1 2 3 4 year after treatment 1 2 3 4	Active Ingredient (A.I.): dicamba Common product name: Banvel; Clarity	Rate - (broadcast) 8 - 32 fl oz/A (0.25 - 1 lb a.e./A) (spot) Equivalent to broadcast rates. Timing - In spring apply to rosettes or bolting plants; in fall apply to rosettes as long as leaves are green. Caution - Do not apply directly to water or to areas where surface water is present. Use of this chemical in areas where soils are permeable, particularly where the water table is shallow, may result in groundwater contamination. Overspray or drift to desirable plants should be avoided, as even minute quantities of the spray may cause severe injury to plants. Rates >16oz/A (0.5 lb a.e./A) may cause stunting and discoloration of sensitive grasses, such as smooth brome.
Type - Foliar User Type - Novice Effectiveness - in season 1 2 3 4 year after treatment 1 2 3 4	Active Ingredient (A.I.): glyphosate Common product name: Roundup Pro; many others (Aquatic: Rodeo; AquaNeat)	Rate - (broadcast) 0.75 - 1.5 lb a.e./A (spot) For a 3 lb a.e./gal product. 1 - 2% (0.03 - 0.06 lb a.e./gal) Timing - In spring apply to rosettes, bolting or flowering plants; in fall apply to rosettes as long as leaves are green. Caution - Use product labeled for aquatic use if potential exists for solution to contact surface waters. Applications can result in bare ground as glyphosate is not selective. Overspray or drift to desirable plants should be avoided, as even minute quantities of the spray may cause severe injury to plants.
Type - Foliar User Type - Professional Effectiveness - in season 1 2 3 4 year after treatment 1 2 3 4	Active Ingredient (A.I.): imazapyr Common product name: Arsenal; Stalker (Aquatic: Habitat; Imazapyr 2sl)	Rate - (broadcast) 8 - 16 fl oz/A (0.13 - 0.25 lb a.e./A) (spot) 0.5 - 5% (0.01 - 0.1 lb a.e./A) Timing - In spring apply to rosettes or bolting plants; in fall apply to rosettes as long as leaves are green. Caution - Use product labeled for aquatic use if potential exists for solution to contact surface waters. Applications can result in bare ground as imazapyr is not selective and can remain in the soil for several months to over a year depending on application rate. Overspray or drift to desirable plants should be avoided, as even minute quantities of the spray may cause severe injury to plants.
Type - Foliar User Type - Professional Effectiveness - in season 1 2 3 4 year after treatment 1 2 3 4	Active Ingredient (A.I.): metsulfuron Common product name: Escort XP; Ally XP	Rate - (broadcast) 0.25 - 1 oz/A (0.15 - 0.6 oz a.i./A) (spot) 0.04 oz/gal (0.02 oz a.i./gal) Timing - In spring apply to rosettes, bolting or flowering plants; in fall apply to rosettes as long as leaves are green. Caution - Do not apply directly to water or to areas where surface water is present. Remains in the soil for months depending on application rate. Overspray or drift to desirable plants should be avoided as even minute quantities of the spray may cause severe injury to plants.
Type - Foliar User Type - Professional Effectiveness - in season 1 2 3 4 year after treatment 1 2 3 4	Active Ingredient (A.I.): picloram Common product name: Tordon K; Trooper 22K	Rate - (broadcast) 8 - 16 fl oz/A (0.13 - 0.25 lb a.e./A) (spot) Equivalent to broadcast rates. Timing - In spring apply to rosettes, bolting or flowering plants; in fall apply to rosettes as long as leaves are green. Applications to rosettes in the spring or fall are most effective. Caution - Do not apply directly to water or to areas where surface water is present. Use of this chemical in areas where soils are permeable, particularly where the water table is shallow, may result in groundwater contamination. Remains in the soil for over one year depending on application rate and has the potential to contaminate surface runoff water during this timeframe. Maintenance of a vegetative buffer strip is recommended between the areas picloram is applied and surface water features. Overspray or drift to desirable plants should be avoided as even minute quantities of the spray may cause severe injury to plants. Do not compost treated plants as herbicide can persist through composting process.
Type - Foliar User Type - Novice Effectiveness - in season 1 2 3 4 year after treatment 1 2 3 4	Active Ingredient (A.I.): triclopyr Common product name: Garlon 4; Element 4 (Aquatic: Garlon 3A; Element 3A)	Rate - (broadcast) 16 - 32 fl oz/A (0.5 - 1 lb a.e./A) (spot) 1 - 2% (0.04 - 0.08 lb a.e./gal) Timing - In spring apply to rosettes, bolting or flowering plants; in fall apply to rosettes as long as leaves are green. Caution - Use product labeled for aquatic use if potential exists for solution to contact surface waters. Use of this chemical in areas where soils are permeable, particularly where the water table is shallow, may result in groundwater contamination. Overspray or drift to desirable plants should be avoided as even minute quantities of the spray may cause severe injury to plants.
Type - Foliar User Type - Novice Effectiveness - in season 1 2 3 4 year after treatment 1 2 3 4	Active Ingredient (A.I.): triclopyr + 2,4-D Common product name: Crossbow; Chaser	Rate - (broadcast) 192 fl oz/A (triclopyr: 1.5 lb a.e./A + 2,4-D: 3 lb a.e./A) (spot) 1 - 1.5% (triclopyr: 0.01 - 0.02 lb a.e./gal + 2,4-D: 0.02 - 0.03 lb a.e./gal) Timing - In spring apply to rosettes, bolting or flowering plants; in fall apply to rosettes as long as leaves are green. Applications to rosettes in the spring or fall are most effective. Caution - Do not apply directly to water or to areas where surface water is present. Use of this chemical in areas where soils are permeable, particularly where the water table is shallow, may result in groundwater contamination. Overspray or drift to desirable plants should be avoided, as even minute quantities of the spray may cause severe injury to plants.

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Invasive Plant Control Database

Welcome to the Invasive Plant Control Database