The Invasive Species Council of BC defines invasive plants as: "any invasive alien plant species that has the potential to pose undesirable or detrimental impacts on humans, animals or ecosystems."
Invasive alien plants are non-native plants that have found their way into a region that they would not naturally be found. They are also known as exotics, or introduced plant species. Because the insect predators and plant pathogens that would control them in their native habitats are not here, these species will quickly spread out of control.
Noxious Weed & Invasive Plant List
The B.C. Weed Control Act imposes a duty on all land occupiers to control designated noxious plants. The Pesticide Use Control By-Law does NOT apply to pesticides that are applied to control noxious and/or invasive weeds.
Help Prevent the Spread of Invasive Plants
- Find out which non-native species can invade natural areas and avoid planting them in your garden.
- Never dispose of noxious weeds in your compost, and please do not take them to City yard waste sites. Noxious weeds should be bagged and placed in your garbage container or taken to the landfill for proper disposal.
- Be careful of sharing plants that are self-seeding, vigorous spreaders, or prolific growers.
- Be cautious of ordering plant seeds over the Internet or through catalogues.
- Be wary of wildflower mixes, as many contain invasive species.
- Grow regionally native plants in your garden.
- Never dump garden waste or hanging baskets into natural areas.
- If you discover invasive plants in your yard, contain them within your property to prevent them from spreading beyond.
- Control weeds that grow under bird feeders. Often seeds in bird feeders fall out and begin to grow on the ground beneath, introducing foreign and potentially invasive plants to our environment.
