Invasive species: help, advice, and apply to use herbicides and pesticides.
Non-native invasive shrimp found in UK waters
Dikerogammarus villosus, common name ‘invasive' (or 'killer') shrimp, has been found at three locations in UK waters: Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire, Cardiff Bay in South Wales, and Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir in Port Talbot, South Wales, and Barton Broad, Norfolk.
Dubbed the killer shrimp by biologists for its appetite for native species like shrimp, young fish and insect larvae, it can alter the ecology of the habitats it invades.
Invasive species awareness campaign
Our invasive species expert, Trevor Renals, was at the launch of a government campaign on the River Wandle in South London to highlight the problems of five invasive species:
What are invasive species?
Animals and plants that have been introduced to a place where they do not naturally occur are known as non-native species. Many of these live happily in the UK without causing a problem but a few become what's called invasive.
Invasive species upset the balance of the ecosystem as they may be bigger, faster growing or more aggressive than the native species. They may also have fewer natural predators to control numbers. The native species are often unable to compete and fairly quickly the invasive species take over.
Help and advice
We have published a new leaflet to give you advice on how to manage invasive non-native plants in or near fresh water.
Using herbicides
Over the winter months we receive very few applications for herbicide agreements due to the nature of the application. If you know you will be carrying out a spraying activity during the following spring and summer, we ask that you submit your application during the winter months. We can then process your agreement much quicker and in plenty of time for you to carry out your spraying activity.
If you plan to use herbicides to control aquatic or bankside weeds please complete the application form below and return it to us at the address shown in the form. Please read the guidance notes first.
Aerial spray pesticides and herbicides
If you plan to aerial spray pesticides or herbicides on land within 250 metres of water, you must give us at least 72 hours notice by completing the application form below. Please return it to us at the address shown on the form, ensuring you read the guidance notes first.
Please note: it would help us if you could return the form at least three weeks before spraying.
