Biological Pests

What is a biological pest? A plant or animal that is NOT native to an area and becomes a pest as it takes over due to a lack of natural enemies that would maintain them.

Types of Biological Pests Tamarisks Amur Honeysuckle Purple Loosestrife Ticks Starlings Mice

Tamarisks

Tamarisks These are dangerous because they displace the native stream side vegetation and the habitat prone to wildfires. They continue to be a problem because they consume so much water used by wildlife.

Amur Honeysuckle

Amur Honeysuckle This is dangerous because it colonizes in many habitats - fields, marshes, roadsides, and forests. It is a problem in forests because it may affect long-term tree populations.

Purple Loosestrife

Purple Loosestrife This plant is a problem because it can disrupt the water flow of rivers. It spreads very quickly because it produces 3 million seeds per year! It is carried by wind and water.

Ticks

Ticks These pests compete for blood of their host animal. They are dangerous because they carry diseases - lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, Typhus

Starlings

Starlings These are pests because they are noisy, transfer diseases between livestock, eat cultivated fruits and seeds. They can affect an environment by competing with native birds causing a decline in populations.

Mice

Mice These are pests that compete for food meant for humans, pets, or farm animals. They can cause problems by contamination, damage to structures, furniture, fabric, and property.