Next time you are clearing a garden or undertaking a similar project, you might want to keep your eye out for a racoon or two.
Researchers are warning that towns and cities face increasing problems from invasive species, citing the spread of racoons through the German capital city, Berlin, as one example.
The BBC reports on the work of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), who say that invasive species take over resources and space from the indigenous species.
Improved travel links is just one reason for the increased threat, with city airports and ports being the arrival point for products such as plants and soils that could carry species from the other side of the world.
Councils and local authorities are seen as playing an important role in spotting species and dealing with them swiftly.
IUCN say that staff should be provided with support and training as invasive animals, plants and insects can quickly take hold , with a forthcoming conference aiming to bring together local authorities, scientists and policymakers.
Japanese knotweed is another example pest highlighted by researches, and this week in the UK Defra published advice on the possible arrival of the Asian hornet from continental Europe, pictured above.
The European Commission is expected to announce measures providing a co-ordinated approach for the EU to tackle the spread of invasive species.
Comments
I get so many phone calls from people that bamboo is spreading in their gardens ( also some others, as we manufacture and supply the tough solution for it ).
It is not a legend, it takes few years for the bamboo plant to grow a system of roots and rhizomes - with no ones noticing it will do its way... true is different bamboo got different speed, type of soil and watering has also massive impact , yet they all spread - we do not see it as it is under the ground far from the eye but...
When it is too late .... it is very difficult to do anything about that .... heavy tools may be needed and in some case - i heard about many - sadly that had to dig the lawn , the patio, the path with a digger search for all rhizomes and start a new garden.
It is why in many countries by law rhizome barrier must be used as the rhizomes may cross roads , grow through tarmac , spread to neighbors , pavements , decks , fields and parks.
Do not get me wrong a beautiful plant that can create most beautiful informal hedge .
I am afraid that most images are not from the uk - but same is happened here .
in nature , bamboo is growing as a forest ,or groove , a plant that bought in a garden centre can do the same if it has not got a bamboo control barrier .
Ill be happy to advise or supply our bamboo root control - to stop rhizomes from spreading
tel 01630 647532 , discounts and samples to trade customers