Prevention and Decontamination

9th Annual Central Florida Invasive Species Workshop

April 24, 2019

Kateri Tonyan, Colorado State University- CEMML

Avon Park Air Force Range

What are your current procedures?

Do you have prevention strategies?

Do you practice them daily?

Do you have decontamination procedures?

Do you practice them daily?

What types of vehicles and/or equipment are you using out in the field?

Prevention

Before daily activities: Inspect equipment to avoid spreading invasive species from the previous

field day.

Where feasible, dedicate gear and apparel only used in infested sites to reduce the risk of becoming a vector.

Clean if needed.

Prevention

While out in the field: Avoid walking, driving or mowing through weed patches when seeds are

present.

Do not park vehicles or equipment in infested areas

Stay on trails and avoid walking through areas of tall grass or brush.

Seek out basic information about where high-priority invasive species are known to occur, and try to minimize contact with them.

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Left – 2016 chevy trucks wheel well has an material that reduces the sound inside the cab but acts as an adhesive to seeds and hitch hikers Middle – pants, shoe laces, socks are all good adhesives to seeds and hitch hikers Right – spraying down a vehicle once she arrived at a new location to prevent spread from one location to another

Decontamination

Land vehicles and equipment

Watercraft and equipment

Personal gear and clothing

Decontamination – Land vehicles

All land vehicles and equipment should be inspected, examined and remove vegetation as well as soil and mud, which may contain plant cuttings or seeds.

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Mud, dirt and ripped up plants are all capable of containing seeds and plant material

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Mud, dirt and ripped up plants are all capable of containing seeds and plant material

Decontamination – Land vehicles Rubber Tired Land Vehicles

Crevices in surface and panels

Tired, rims and fender wells

Spare tire mounting area

Bumpers

Front and rear quarter panels

Around and behind grills

Bottom of radiator vent openings

Brake mechanisms

Transmission

Stabilizer bar

Shock absorbers

Front and rear axles

Beds

Suspension units

Exhaust systems

Light casing and mirrors

Tracked Land Vehicles Crevices in surface and panels

Top of axles and tensioners

Support rollers

Between rubber or gridded areas

Beneath fenders

Hatches

Under casings

Grills

Interiors of All Vehicles Beneath seats

Beneath floor mats

Upholstery

Beneath foot pedals

Inside folds of gear shift cover

Decontamination- Watercraft and equipment

Invasive aquatic plants often spread from small fragments; therefore, special care must be taken to identify and address these issues before leaving a body of water.

Detailed inspections and complete removal of all potential invaders must be performed before watercraft, trailers, or equipment come in contact with water or is moved from one water body to another.

Clean. Drain. Dry.

Presenter

Presentation Notes

CLEAN these areas of your boat DRAIN every conceivable space or item that can hold water DRY completely before launching into another waterbody

Decontamination – Watercraft Water Vehicles

Bilge compartments

Water holding tanks

Wet and live wells

Propellers

Trailers

Anchors

Chains

Ropes

Ties

Tread mats

Traction grids

Inboard Engine Propeller

Trim tab

Input cap

Crevices

Water intake ports

Rudder

Inboard/Outboard Engine Propeller

Under trim tabs

Steering components

Cooling water intake ports

Outboard Engine Propeller

Motor mounts

Bottom drain holes

Cooling water intake ports

Decontamination- Personal gear and clothing

Clothing and personal gear is very good at transporting fragments, seeds and propagules of invasive species in ways similar to vehicles and equipment.

Any plant material and mud should be removed and thrown away.

Alex Onisko

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Even some of the weedy natives like sand spurs we all know and love Caesar weed… make sure to remove the seeds at the site you are working in

Decontamination – Personal gear and clothing Clothes

Zippers

Belts

Laces or ties

Buckles

Straps

Velcro grips

Rivets

Buttons and fasteners

Loose Particle Fabric Canvas

Nylon

Cotton

Poly blend

Wool

Fleece

Netting

Suede

Other Flaps

Pockets

Seams

Cuffs and folds

Socks and ankle grips

Treads of footwear

Collars and hoods

Ventilation openings

Decontamination

After working out in the field, inspect and clean all equipment and clothing.

Remove any visible vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, plant fragments, seeds, algae and dirt.

If necessary, use a scrub brush and rinse with clean water at designated decontamination site or brought to field site for that purpose.

Continue this process until the equipment and apparel are clean.

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Left – using a high pressure washer Middle – make sure to check out those pesky socks Right – wildfire assignment out west have wash stations for when you arrive and before you leave to prevent spread of invasive species

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Boot brushes are helpful and handy Pressure washers are helpful Make sure to check the fresh air intakes for seeds

Questions?