1. Phragmites Control Technology
UC Davis_JM DiTomaso
Described by Cathy McGlynn

2. WIPE-IT Herbicide Applicator
Williams Invasive Plant Eradication Indispensible Tool
Replaces hand-wicking and wiping method

3. WIPE-IT Spring steel handle Plastic tube extensions
Removable absorbent wicks

4. Benefits of WIPE-IT
Spray bottle adjusted to single stream applies herbicide to wicks
Grab plant near base and brush herbicide up plant
WIPE-IT is 22” long and many plants can be wiped without bending over
Can treat plants up to height of 8’
Steel spring can be adjusted to fit user’s grip and size of plant

5. WIPE-IT Website
Provides instructions for use, cleaning, and other purposes

6. Harsens Island, Michigan 48028, USA 248-388-0465
Contact:
Bob Williams
Stewart Farm
2007 Stewart Rd.
Harsens Island, Michigan 48028, USA

7. Wet Blade System Research
Wet blade (Ecoblade) on mowing deck on tractor
Herbicide is sprayed as plants are mowed

8. Wet Blade System Research
Experiment on Phragmites could not be completed due to wet soils

9. However… The experiment on Canada thistle proved successful
Herbicide=aminopyralid

10. Wet Blade System Research
Lower rate of application needed
Extremely low drift

11. Drift comparison
Filter placed along mowing route

12. Drift Comparison
Herbicide detected below wetblade mower deck or applicator spray nozzle

13. Drift Comparison
For broadcast sprayer herbicide was detected up to 3m from nozzle, while no herbicide was detected below wetblade mower deck

14. Effectiveness of Wet Blade on Canada Thistle
High and medium application rates via wet blade in spring reduced thistle biomass
Herbicide levels- none (0 pints per acre), low (4 pints), medium (5 pints), high (6 pints)

15. Applicability to Phragmites
The soil around Phragmites will need to be pretty dry to treat these populations or the tractor would have to remain on the road during treatments, which is possible if the width of the right-of-way is less than 22 feet.

16. Continued Research
Contact- Catherine Tarasoff MI Tech University (906)
If you are interested in experimenting with wet blade herbicide application on Phragmites along roadsides