Spotted knapweed in Michigan

[dirty hands]

Should Michigan use weevils to control the weed? Im on the fence myself. I guess I should read what the other states success has been.
It would probably be better than poison.

Michigan weighs expanded use of beetles to control invasive knapweed or ‘star thistle’

The invasive plant damages dunes and shorelines but produces popular honey, creating conflicting interests for conservation and beekeeping.

www.mlive.com

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Years ago they were using weevils here in Wisconsin to control spotted knapweed in the Scuppernong Prairie, although it was hardly talked about and I don't think results were ever put out for the public. I have no real opinion on it since I don't really know enough to have an opinion.

 

[PGB1]

It seems that each time humans have introduced any species of plant, insect, mammal or fish to an area where it's not native, things go haywire. This introduction can be purposeful, such as the proposal above, or accidental like zebra mussels in the great lakes. Australia is a good example of what happens when people introduce non-native species.

To my mind, although it is the expensive way, mechanical removal sounds environmentally safest.

 

[Martin Mikulcik]

It seems that each time humans have introduced any species of plant, insect, mammal or fish to an area where it's not native, things go haywire. This introduction can be purposeful, such as the proposal above, or accidental like zebra mussels in the great lakes. Australia is a good example of what happens when people introduce non-native species.

To my mind, although it is the expensive way, mechanical removal sounds environmentally safest.

Rose rosette disease was introduced to control the wild multiflora invasive rose and to that end it does well. It also controls everybody's patio roses

It's kind of absurd the extent people go to kill plants in ways other than mechanical removal

Like, there's people injecting helium into the soil near kudzu to suffocate it. That stuff ain't cheap, or renewable

 

[PGB1]

Like, there's people injecting helium into the soil near kudzu to suffocate it. That stuff ain't cheap, or renewable

The Typical "People Method":
Waste a soon-to-be-depleted natural resource- helium
Damage the earth and waste energy extracting & bottling it.
Waste fuel going to buy helium and returning over and over to buy refills.
Cause a helium tank, regulator and injector stuff to be made so you can buy it. Energy & resources = Wasted
Spend money on the helium, the tank, regulator and whatever one uses to inject.
Walk around methodically injecting each plant.
Get confused and wonder if you already injected that plant over there & this one over here- so double dose.
Wait weeks or more for results and to see what plants you missed.


The Make Earth Happy Method:
Use genuine, natural physical energy to walk around where the kudzu is growing
Actually bend over at the waist and pull the plant up. (What? No chemicals?)
Get finished quicker because it is quite apparent where you've already worked. No "did I do those?" quandaries.
Dispose of the plant in accordance with regulations. (OK, this one might have environmental consequences if it has
to be burned or buried in a land fill.)
Plant fun stuff where the instantly clear ground is now!

Sure, pulling plants is boring and injecting stuff into the ground sounds like fun. For five minutes....

 

[Meadowlark]

This discussion on helium is interesting to me because I had assumed it was simply released into the atmosphere where it could be re-used...not so. When released it actually leaves the earth's atmosphere joining vast outer space.

My research indicates that helium actually comes from natural gas deposits where it is formed over millions of years from radioactive decay of organic matter. Once extracted and released into the atmosphere it raises and escapes into space where it cannot be re-claimed with current technology.

I got to thinking about all the ballons we fill with helium which is then lost into space forever. It is non-renewable on human timescales. Learn something every day.

​

 

[PGB1]

My research indicates that helium actually comes from natural gas deposits where it is formed over millions of years from radioactive decay of organic matter. Once extracted and released into the atmosphere it raises and escapes into space where it cannot be re-claimed with current technology.

It also comes from uranium ore mining areas- something else we would be smart to leave alone. Like you wrote, Meadowlark, when helium is gone it's gone.

Below is a photo of a helium extraction plant. I wonder how much earth damage was done building the plant and all the equipment. Are dollar store balloons and the Goodyear advertising blimp worth that?

 

[Martin Mikulcik]

We could use hydrogen if we weren't scaredy cats

 

[dirty hands]

They use to say oil would run out too but then the old wells starting filling back up with oil.

I have a hard time believing that the 2nd most abundant element in the universe is scarce on earth.