If you are brand new to weed biocontrol, you may find it helpful to first read the history and explanation page.
Next, we recommend you learn about each of the components involved in implementing a weed biocontrol program. Knowing this information prior to starting a weed biocontrol project will familiarize you with the necessary steps and will greatly improve your chance of success.
Once you have determined biocontrol is an appropriate fit for your weed infestation and learned the general components for implementing a weed biocontrol program, you can search the weeds page for further information specific to your target weed species. The weeds page lists the weed species targeted for biocontrol in North America with links to additional resources that will help you better understand the biology and ecology of your target. This knowledge will, in turn, help you plan your biocontrol program more effectively. The weeds page also contains instructions on basic plant identification to aid you in your efforts to properly differentiate your target weed from other plant species.
Next you can visit the biocontrol agents page for further information specific to biocontrol agents available for your target weed. The agents page lists the biocontrol agents that have been intentionally released and/or are currently established in North America along with links to additional resources for each species. These resources will help you determine the biocontrol agents that are most likely to be suitable and most effective for your target weed infestation. The agents page also contains instructions on basic biocontrol agent identification to aid you in your efforts to properly differentiate your target biocontrol agent from other similar species and from other groups of organisms.
The Library contains publications with implementation guidelines specific to many weeds and biocontrol agents established in North America, including regional field guides and species-specific weed biocontrol manuals.
Visit the North American Biological Control Program Directory to locate your nearest biocontrol specialist to enquire about obtaining your biocontrol agents of interest and for the specialist’s recommendations and tips for implementing a biocontrol program for your target weed in your area. The directory also lists state, federal, and private researchers currently working on specific weed biocontrol systems in North America.
After obtaining your desired biocontrol agents and releasing them according to the appropriate guidelines mentioned above (and/or the recommendations of your local biocontrol specialist), be sure to fill out a release form by PDF or the iBiocontrol app.
Finally, monitoring is an important component of all biocontrol programs. The Standardized Impact Monitoring Protocol (or SIMP) is the method we recommend most. It’s available from a free app or through freely downloadable forms found on its own page on this website.