Invasive species such as insects, seeds, snails and slugs can cause serious damage to Canada's environment and economy.
How
- Invasive species can travel when you do.
- Once invasive species are moved, they can quickly invade and spread widely in new areas.
- They can overrun our gardens, wipe out crops and even destroy our forests.
Tips
- Check your equipment and gear before opening or closing your gardens every year to help stop the spread.
- Inspect your things:
- check gardening equipment and yard tools for sneaky invasive species, such as insects, seeds, snails and slugs, paying close attention to wheels, fabric and compact spaces;
- brush off and clean your patio furniture, tools, tarps and yard gear; and
- clean buckets, workspaces, and sheds before putting things away.
- Clean off and remove mud and any other debris from tools, furniture or other backyard equipment before moving or stowing it for the season.
- Not all plants can be disposed of in the same way, like in your trash.
- Composting does not always destroy invasive weeds and seeds.
- Understand best practices to help you stop the spread.
What to do if you find something
- Get to know the enemy! Familiarize yourself with invasive species.
- See something suspicious? Whether it's a seed, insect, snail, slug or plant you don't recognize, snap a picture and report it to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency right away.
- Before you head out, make sure those invasive species are removed and destroyed – don't let them spread!