Best Management Practices (BMP) and Treatment Latest Topics

English Ivy Management

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 17:53:49 +0000

Hi there! I have a landowner in my county that is seeking advice on treating or managing English ivy on their own. My understanding is that herbicide generally tends to be less effective on mature ivy because the leaves have a waxy coating that herbicide won't penetrate, and that the best option is usually to hand pull. However, the landowners are a bit older and have a pretty large infestation, so they are looking for less strenuous methods. Has anyone had success with repeated mowing, or cut stump treatment? I'm wondering if maybe mowing and then foliar herbicide application to the new growth would work, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of research thus far on this. Thanks!

Chameleon Plant

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 16:37:28 +0000

We recently had a report of chameleon plant - houttuynia cordata - which is non-native, but not listed on MISIN or the state's website. Has anyone else had inquires about this plant or been involved in any management or removal efforts?

Invasive Shrub Biomass Best Management Practices?

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 19:41:08 +0000

I'm curious as to what kinds of strategies the group has for dealing with bulky branches and stems from cut stump treatments and weed-wrench activities, particularly for more shrubby species. What makes it an ideal practice for your situation?

(Adding photo for interest )

Knotweed treatment methods handout

Tue, 27 Sep 2016 14:08:54 +0000

Last week the SW x SW Corner CISMA coordinated a Japanese Knotweed Symposium, and I wanted to share one of the handouts that we passed out to attendees on JK treatment methods and sprayer calibration. Huge thanks to all that shared their info (Katie Grzesiak, Leslie Kuhn and Ardie Roth) used to create the document, and special thanks to Leslie for a LOT of editing, input and and developing the sprayer calibration methods.

Feel free to share!

Erin

JK treatment methods_sprayer calibration.pdf

Knotweed treatments

Wed, 20 Apr 2016 16:53:43 +0000

Here's a quick overview of the treatments ISN has found most successful for controlling knotweeds:

Milestone (aminopyralid)

Faster kill (~3 years), more off-target effects
Standard rate (3-7 oz/acre; 0.01%)
- Using nonionic surfactant (standard rate)
Late spring (3-4 ft high) or late summer (at least 60 days before frost)
- When treating in late summer, it is helpful to do a cut of the plants a month or so in advance ONLY IF safe disposal of the stems is possible
- At some sites, repeat treatments (spring & summer) may be appropriate, so long as maximum application rates are not reached
Not aquatic approved
Note: Tree sensitivity issues--some trees will die if their roots mingle with knotweed that is treated with Milestone.

Clearcast (imazamox)

Acceptable kill (~5 years), fewer off-target effects
Cocktail:
- 5% Clearcast
- 1-2% Methylated Seed Oil (MSO)
  - Not all MSOs are aquatic-approved!! Check before applying to knotweed in areas with standing water
- 1-2% glyphosate (aquatic-approved formulation)
Best sprayed in late summer/early fall
- Spraying at least 60 days before the first frost is CRUCIAL--this date will vary by location (for northwest lower MI, it's early August)
Aquatic approved (if adjuvants are aquatic-approved)

We have applied both of these treatments as either foliar spray or as a "cut stem" application (cutting down stems and filling the stem cavity with herbicide solution), which is a great way to avoid drift and overspray, but is more time-intensive and contains the risk of stem disposal.

Questions? Comments? Leave a note!

Carrier Oils for Basal Treatments

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 15:58:16 +0000

Hello,

I am looking for examples of commercially available carrier oils for used for basal treatments. Specifically, I am interested in carrier oils that are compatible with Garlon 4 Ultra.

Thank you,

McKenzi

Poison Hemlock Treatment

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 18:39:17 +0000

Hello,

I am looking for best management practices for Poison hemlock. Searching the web, I have found the following options. If anyone has experience controlling Poison hemlock, I would greatly appreciate your feedback on any of the following methods.

• Triclopyr (Ortho Max Poison Ivy and Tough Brush Killer): most effective when applied from seedling to rosette stage

• 2,4-D plus dicamba (1 kg + 0.5 kg ai/Ac) before plants begin to bud OR 2,4-D (Agri star): most effective when applied soon after plants reach rosette stage

• Glyphosate (Round-Up): apply to actively growing plants before bolting

• For large infestations, a combination of mowing and then treating the regrowth may be the best option. Follow-up as necessary.

• Continuously monitor for new plants, especially following any disturbance to the soil such as tilling or construction, until the seed bank has been depleted.

• Metsulfuron (Escort) + a nonionic surfactant or silicone surfactant is effective in spring when plants are actively growing. See PNW Handbook for more detail.

Thank you,

McKenzi

Black Swallowwort Treatment

Fri, 02 Mar 2018 19:53:51 +0000

Hi all!

I'm reaching out regarding the treatment of black swallowwort. Its still in the EDRR stages up here in the U.P., and in my CISMA area we only have one known infestation. We've been helping to treat it for multiple years now, but we're wondering if perhaps we're not using some of the best management practices on it.

My questions are:

1. If you've treated it, what chemical did you find worked best? Or did you find a non-chemical solution worked well, too?

2. What time of year/phenology of the plant did you treat it?

3. Any other advice?

Thanks everyone! Hope you all have a great weekend!

Oriental Bittersweet

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 13:04:48 +0000

Hello all, I recently survived a forest site that has been overtaken by oriental bittersweet. I have never managed for this plant and am curious of what others have done for larger scale projects like this. The site goes along a river bank, in which some bittersweet is creeping down. My thought was controlling along the river first (as to stop the spread down river) and then move inland and/or to outlier spots. Any thoughts or directions you can point me in are appreciated.

Thanks!

Porcelainberry

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Hi all,

Has anyone been managing Porcelainberry? http://www.misin.msu.edu/facts/detail/?project=misin&id=193&cname=Porcelainberry

We haven't yet, but are receiving more reports and might start looking into it more. It looks like from MISIN and iNaturalist reports it is mostly from Flint south. Thanks for any thoughts!

Hedge Parsley

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 11:42:53 +0000

Hello all, curious if anyone has dealt with Hedge parsley. This has been a "new find" in our area that may have always been here and we didn't realize what it was. I am curious if anyone does treatment for this plant and what advise you have for it. I am quite certain it is hedge parsley and not cow parsley, as it is in flower right now and that seems to be the biggest identifying factor.

Thanks!

"Cudweed" Treatment

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 11:25:32 +0000

I have recently had an inquiry about "cudweed." I wasn't given any more information regarding the specific "cudweed" as a I know there are a few varieties. I am curious if anyone has dealt with treating cudweed. It seems that herbicide is the best option, unfortunately and not surprisingly... But a non-herbicide treatment is desired if possible. Some sites seemed to contradict whether or not hand pulling is effective. Thanks

Pesticide Districts and Contacts

Thu, 12 May 2016 15:50:20 +0000

Many of you have had questions when it comes to the rules associated with pesticide application. The attached map shows each district and the inspector's contact information. If you have questions related to pesticide use, these contacts should be a valuable resource.

CISMA coordinators: I recommend reaching out to the inspectors covering your area, letting them know who you are, and what you and the CISMA are all about. Staying on contact with these folks makes your job and their job easier by making sure we're following all the rules.

Pesticide districts.pdf

Decontamination Document

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 17:20:02 +0000

Hello folks,

I was on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Data Portal and found a document entitled: Inspection and Cleaning Manual for
Equipment and Vehicles to Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species (Technical Memorandum No. 86-68220-07-05), but it is created by U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Reclamation. Some good information on things like: sources of contamination at sites, how decontaminate etc.... It will come up as a download when you click the link. I attached the pdf itself for your ease as well. Some nice pictures and tips.

https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=48043

Sincerely,

Shikha

JLW CISMA

USBREquipmentInspectionandCleaningManual2012.pdf

Acquiring Garucella Beetles

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 19:04:05 +0000

Hello everyone,

The CAKE CISMA has spent an extensive amount of time surveying purple loosestrife along the Elk River Chain of Lakes this past summer. As we look to next year for potential treatment, we are contemplating using garucella beetles for the larger, denser stands. I was curious to see 1) any expertise any of you may have using beetles, 2) any successes or failures using beetles, and 3) where you typically order them from. We are hoping to go with the most reliable, cost-effective option out there.

Thanks everyone!

Multiple Year Knotweed Injections

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 16:54:33 +0000

I've recently had a homeowner coming up with the issue that in his third year of Knotweed treatment, more than 50% of the stems are too small to inject. Has anyone else run into this issue? What have you done once most of the stems can't be treated through injection? Thanks!

Backpack Sprayer Experiences

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 12:28:40 +0000

I'm wondering what brands folks have experience using with backpack sprayers. The last thread on this was from 2016 and we have a lot of new people with new experiences, so I thought I would ask again! We've always had Solo backpacks which tend to have a leaking issue both from the nozzle and from the lid. I'm looking to purchase some new sprayers in the near future, and would like to hear about some other brands and people's experiences with them. Thank you!

Flowering Rush

Mon, 16 May 2016 21:54:00 +0000

Looking for successful treatment stories about flowering rush? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

We have found this information but it doesn't give us much hope: file:///D:/2016%20Strike%20Team/2016%20Strike%20Team%20Manual/Flowering%20Rush/Flowering%20Rush%20MSU%20Ext.pdf

Thanks, Kip

Best found control for Japanese Knotweed

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 15:41:24 +0000

Hello! I am looking into different ways people have treated Japanese Knotweed, more for a large scale area but am curious about smaller areas as well. I am curious if there have been any new findings that I may be missing, other than the DNR page: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/knotweed_BCP_372280_7.pdf. Thanks in advance for the input!

Monitoring Forms

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 13:34:43 +0000

I am looking to revamp our monitoring protocol/data sheets. Would anyone be willing to share their monitoring forms or provide any thoughts/ideas on what they have learned is helpful to record?

Garlic mustard replacements

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 17:29:36 +0000

Some folks were interested in what to plant after removing garlic mustard, so we put this together. If it helps your landowners, please use it!

GM replacement.pdf

Ready-mixed herbicide efficacy

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 17:24:34 +0000

Hello all,

One of our fantastic FAP Foresters (Dr. Josh Shields) did a (very very small) experiment on the efficacy of "over the counter" herbicides on autumn olive cut-stump and basal bark efforts. The results are attached here, but the short version is, some formulations work pretty well! He wants me to note that the sample size is FAR too small to be scientifically significant, but he's chatting with some university friends to see if they'd pick it up into a full-fledged study.

He also notes this is probably fine for small homeowner projects where expertise is low, but that if someone was working with NRCS cost-share or the like, the real-deal BMPs would be the best bet.

MCD-Shields cut-stump results.pdf

Crown Vetch

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 15:30:05 +0000

Hello again! I have another request for information on managing crown vetch. This particular property has had an herbicide treatment done a couple of years ago using glyphosate (the property is on the shore of a lake so must be an aquatic approved herbicide) and now the vetch is back again. Hand pulling or mowing isn't really an option because the rhizomes are growing under cement and a lot of the plants are growing in between rock piles. What do others recommend for crown vetch management?

Leafy Spurge Management

Thu, 13 Jun 2019 17:59:11 +0000

Hello everyone. I was recently contacted by a local conservation district for suggestions on managing leafy spurge. We have never actively managed leafy spurge and I was wondering if anyone else has experience with it? Any recommendations would be appreciated!

Japanese Barberry Cut-Sump

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 15:04:49 +0000

Does anyone have experience with conducting cut-stump treatments of Japanese Barberry that they could share? I've only ever done foliar treatments which I've seen great success with, but I've got a new site this year that is very large and very dense and I would like to explore my options. Thank you.