Invasive Species

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This is an example of Japanese hops.

 

Didymo, Japanese hops discussed in first of series about invasive species

By Ted Pennekamp

 

June is invasive species awareness month, so now is a good time to begin a series of articles about the many invasives found in Crawford County and what citizens can do to help get rid of or prevent them. 

We will begin with an invasive that isn’t in Crawford County or the surrounding area, but could be in the near future if preventative steps aren’t taken.

Didymosphenia geminata (didymo), also known as “rock snot,” is a cold blooded algae that is of major concern, said Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist Don Barrette of the Southwest Badger Resource Conservation and Development Council, which works at eradicating and preventing invasive species.

Didymo was first discovered in North America in the 1800s and forms a snot like white substance that covers and kills plants found in rivers and streams. This in turn affects the rest of the food chain.

Didymo is found in cold water streams. In North America, it is found in areas known for good trout fishing, such as Montana, Wyoming and other western states, and also the Ozarks and many eastern states. In Wisconsin it has invaded areas surrounding Lake Superior. 

Because Southwestern Wisconsin has great trout fishing and attracts many trout anglers, Barrette and others are concerned that Didymo could soon spread here.

“One cell of didymo can produce a new population,” said Barrette. “Also, in areas where didymo is found there is a higher percentage of tubifex worm which is a host for a parasite that causes whirling disease in trout.” 

To help prevent didymo, Barrette said that trout fishermen should not use felt bottomed waders because felt does not dry out very well and didymo needs moisture to survive and be transported from one stream or river to another. Before long, a whole watershed can be affected.

Barrette said that anglers should take some time to thoroughly clean waders and equipment before fishing or moving to another stream. This not only helps prevent didymo but also many other invasives and problem species such as New Zealand mud snails, Japanese hops and gill lice. Having two pairs of waders is a good idea, said Barrette. Waders can be cleaned with a solution of a table spoon of bleach in a gallon of water. There are also solutions such as Virex or Virkon, but those are expensive, Barrette said. Brushes used for cleaning the hooves of horses are also helpful. Mud should be cleaned from waders, and especially dug out from the soles. Solutions can be applied by the use of spray bottles. Letting waders thoroughly dry out is also a preventative measure. 

“Preventative measures are pretty consistent for most aquatic invasives,” said Barrette, who noted that there are ongoing efforts to rid Crawford County and several other counties of Japanese hops, which is an insidious vine related to the marijuana plant. Barrette said that there are at least 30 areas in Grant County invested with Japanese hops covering miles of land near streams. There are also various areas in Crawford and Vernon counties and two projects are underway in Crawford, one along Copper Creek along County E and the other along Citron Creek. In Vernon County, there is a project along the West Fork of the Kickapoo River above Avalanche. 

“We’re attempting to eliminate Japanese hops in the small population counties and the smaller streams first,” said Barrette, who noted that Japanese hops creates a monoculture by outcompeting native plants. It grows and spreads very rapidly and has impacts upon agriculture. Japanese hops has long “stinging nettles” that can tear waders, jeans, and flesh.

Japanese hops is an annual that can be transported by people and is propelled by the watershed, said Barrette. Anybody mowing near bridges or streams can transport it. It can be treated with herbicides, many of which are now aquatic friendly. The plants can also be mechanically killed by chopping them down or pulling them before they flower. Waders can pick up seeds and transport them to another location. Anglers can use the previously discussed methods for cleaning waders. Goats have had limited success in killing Japanese hops. 

Barrette said that if anyone is interested in volunteering or would like to eliminate Japanese hops from their property, they can contact him at (608) 219-7842, and he can put them in touch with the proper person. Southwest Badger can also train people, he said. Projects are underway for Japanese hops in 10 counties in Southwestern Wisconsin.

Editor’s Note: This is the first of an ongoing series of articles about the status of numerous invasive species in Southwestern Wisconsin such as emerald ash borer, Eurasian water milfoil, curly leaf pond weed, purple loosestrife and many others; and what people can do about these threats.

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