Invasive Species Control

If present within waterways, invasive non-native plant species impede flow, damage water quality, and reduce habitat for native biodiversity. Stonbury’s specially-trained team use a variety of techniques to eradicate them whilst protecting native species.

Stonbury apply practical control measures to remove aquatic species and those that commonly encroach along riverbanks. Plants are removed at suitable intervals within the growing season – before they flower and set seed – to stop them spreading downstream. The team is equipped to deal with a broad range of species and most regularly address:

• Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)
• Floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides)
• Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica syn. Fallopia japonica)
• Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)

Trained in water safety and employing extensive knowledge along with a range of specialist equipment, the Stonbury team tailor control methods to the species and environment to ensure the most effective elimination and protection of the surrounding native flora.

Manual control

• Weed pulling by hand for larger weeds within SSSIs to avoid disturbance to other species
• Weed harvester boat for submerged and floating weeds within large ponds
• Amphibious Truxor machine for reeds and other weeds within shallow ponds
• Mowers, strimmers and cutters accompanied with weed nets on riverbanks
• Rakes, razors and cutters accompanied with weed nets within watercourses

Chemical control

• Hand-held spraying for non-submerged species to reduce disturbance to channel beds and banks
• Stem injection for tough-to-remove species, eliminating spray drift in sensitive areas and allowing removal during poor weather conditions

Environmental or biological control

• UV dyes and barely straw to reduce the effects of excess algal growth in ponds and lakes
• Azolla weevils for water fern (Azolla filiculoides) dominance