Oftentimes, when homeowners or land managers reach out to the FVISS, it is because they are dealing with a particularly challenging invasive species or invasive plant and need additional support in managing the infestation. When well established and widespread, some invasive plants can be very difficult to control, usually due to their plant biology, their location, or other legislative limitations.

When other options have been explored, and there are no other tools that can be feasible or practical in controlling invasive plants in their situation, a contractor company using trained and experienced professionals may be needed. Successful invasive species control need to follow the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which in the most basic terms is to select the right tool for the plant. 

Considerations:

Invasive plant management is never a one-year task, and experienced practitioners would always recommend continued follow up monitoring post-treatment efforts. Professionals would also also know to seek out Best Management Practices for the invasive plant they are targeting, and be able to speak to the species plant biology and give rationale for their treatment recommendations. 

Here are a few things to ask an invasive plant contractor company before you hire them for work on your property:

• Do you have experience dealing with this specific invasive plant?
• Are you licensed to work in my municipality?
• What methods will you use and what is the rationale for that decision?
• How many years of treatments may be required?
• Do you and your staff have the appropriate licences and permits to apply herbicide?
• Does your price include follow-up visits and monitoring or just the initial treatment?
• Can you provide a list of references who can verify your work?

For Contractors using herbicide for invasive plant management:

From the Integrated Pest Management Legislation, a valid pesticide licence is required to offer a service to apply most pesticides on public land or private land. Please see "Pesticides & Pest Management" for more information.

There is never a "one size fits all" option, and many decisions need to be made when using herbicides, including:

• application method,
• which product to use,
• time of day/time of year,
• wildlife or fish considerations,
• use of space,
• site preparation, and
• post-treatment monitoring and follow up.

Please see below a list of local Invasive Plant Management Contractors who have expressed experience managing invasive plants and work on public and private properties (by alphabetical order):

Fraser Valley:

Lower Mainland:

(Note that this list does not imply promotion or endorsements of these companies or their work - this list is only here as a resource for informational purposes only. If you are an invasive plant management company that has the required certification for noxious weed management and would like addition to this list, please contact info@fviss.ca)