Enviroworx

25/07/2019

Everyone knows what Bugweed is, also known locally as Bonga-Bonga, and the fact that it is so well known gives you an idea of how prevalent and invasive it has become in South Africa.

Bugweed (Solanum mauritianum) is a fast- growing, soft-woody, evergreen shrub/small tree of South American origin. It has​ a dense covering of soft, white hairs on the stems, flower stalks and underside of the leaves. The leaves are large and soft, they can reach a length of 250 mm, the upper surface being dull green and velvety, while the lower surface is white and felt like. The purple to lilac flowers are arranged in terminal clusters and giving rise to small round berries, which change from green to yellow when ripening. The berries, which are popular amongst our local frugivorous (fruit/berry feeding) birds, helping spread their abundance of seeds contained within. In South Africa, Bugweed has been extremely successful in spreading of their seed, and their seedlings are found everywhere,
especially germinating within disturbed habitats. Disturbed land as a result human settlement has given it the perfect breeding ground to become the problem invasive species it is today. Just like rats, Bugweed has prospered along with, and because of, the spread of humans and development. This has made Bugweed one of the most abundant and invasive plant species in South Africa today.

Bugweed invades forest margins, plantations, roadsides, urban spaces, agricultural areas, coastland, riparian zones (banks of watercourses) and disturbed areas, it is tolerant of many soil types. Besides shading out indigenous vegetation, bugweed causes great economic losses in plantations, its hairs act as skin and respiratory irritants, and the unripe berries are toxic.

In terms of the NEMBA Act Alien and Invasive Species Regulations, Bugweed has been declared a Category 1b species, which necessitates management, control and removal where possible. No trade or planting of Bugweed is permitted.

Small plants can be uprooted manually, and large plants may be ringbarked at ground level, or cut down close to the ground and the stumps treated with recommended herbicides. The seeds of inaccessible plants will, however, always cause re-invasion of cleared areas, and biocontrol is therefore deemed the most sustainable control option, along with follow up clearing. Having a alien invasive species management plan is highly recommended for owners of large properties and properties with an abundance of alien invasives.

Bugweed has been a target for biocontrol since the 1980s and has had a troubled history, particularly considering the potential impacts of
biocontrol agents on food crops. Bugweed is a close relative and the same genus (Solanum) as tomatoes, potatoes and eggplants. The research is ongoing and of 15 biocontrol agents studied only two have been released to date,
Gargaphia decoris (a sap-sucking lace bug, released in 1999) and Anthonomus santacruzi (a flowerbud-feeding weevil, released in 2008 and found to be established along the KZN south coast). No biocontrol agents are currently
established within the KZN inland region.

It is of utmost importance to clear any area of this plant, along with follow up clearing of seedlings and saplings, to prevent re-infestation. The mature plants should be of highest priority due their production of berries resulting in their seeds being spread by birds.

Please see the pictures attached to this article to help you identify any bugweed present on your property.

15/07/2019

The cat's claw creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati) is a rapidly growing climbing vine and an alien invasive species which has severe impact on South Africa’s local environment. This invasive creeper with it’s claw-like tendrils between their bright green lance-shaped leaves climbs on fences, trees, walls and houses causing damage to property and the death of local indigenous plants and trees. You will notice their bright yellow, trumpet shaped flowers appearing from September to February, during our wet season. Currently, during Winter, their long flattened, brown leathery capsules hold the winged, papery seeds, which fly, giving them the ability to spread their seeds far and wide.

This climber invades forest margins, woodlands, plantations, roadsides and urban open spaces such as gardens, over fences and along roadsides. It overtops, strangles and smothers indigenous forest and plantation species by rapidly spreading both vertically and horizontally. The vine has a vigorous root and tuber system, which makes is extremely difficult to eradicate. The tubers allow the plant to regrow extremely fast after clearing/cutting.

This species is a category 1b alien invasive species and as per the NEMBA Act (2014) needs to be managed and controlled by property owners who have this plant on their properties.

Cat’s Claw is native to the tropical dry forest of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. It prefers warm-temperate, tropical and sub-tropical areas, similar to our own climate and is currently a target for biological
control. Scientific research has shown that a few species of insects from Cats Claw’s region of origin naturally keep the species under control. The tingid bug (Carvalhotingis visenda) , the moth (Hypocosmia Pyro chroma) and a leaf-mining jewel beetle (Hylaeogena jureceki) have been released and studies are ongoing to examine how effective and safe these biocontrol agents are.

How can you prevent it from spreading or control its growth?

Cutting and painting its stumps can be used as an effective method of eradication. Cut the vines near the base and paint the cut stump with undiluted glyphosate (e.g Roundup (Efekto)). Leave the vine in the canopy to die, ensuring no vines are touching the ground. Regrowth from stumps can be sprayed with glyphosate (20ml/1L) + penetrant. In severe cases, where no clearing and herbicide application is effective, digging up of the tubers may be necessary.

We urge homeowners and responsible residents to keep an eye out for this species in your area and lets unite together in clearing our local environment of this alien invasive species.

27/01/2017

See the pics and look around Pietermaritzburg.
Brazilian Pepper Tree is everywhere.
On verges, river courses and in gardens.
Seek and destroy!

26/01/2017

.....PEST CERTIFICATES.....

Enviroworx provides Pest Certificates for property sales!

Both Pest and Invasive Plant Certificates are required by law when selling your property. However, Enviroworx can provide both at a highly reduced cost.

2017 Prices:
> Invasive Species Inspection & Certificate - R600
> Pest Inspection & Certificate - R600
> Combination Deal - R980!

Typically arranging these certificates can be time consuming and expensive but Enviroworx aims to make this fast and affordable for all property sellers.

If you would like to find out more about our services contact us on:
Chris (Cell): 082 391 4402
Mike (Cell): 082 4182 104
Work: 033 386 1080
Email: [email protected]

24/09/2016

A sign in Durban. We need to make more people aware of our invasive plant problem in KZN and most don't understand the huge impact they have on us.

Alien Alley in the Durban Botanical Garden, Berea, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

24/09/2016

Please don't release your pets into our environment. Your little fish can become a serious invasive problem, resulting in the devastation of many indigenous plant and animal populations. .

Your pet goldfish may seem tiny and harmless. But in the wild, they can take down entire ecosystems.

23/09/2016

__________N3 INVASIVE CLEARING UNDERWAY!!___________
---------------- ENVIRO-UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 2016 -----------------
If you happen to have driven up Town Hill (PMB) recently, despite the traffic and the road works you may have noticed a large amount of clearing happening along the sides of the N3. Between Athlone Circle and Hilton the N3 Toll Concession is currently clearing a vast area of land that is riddled with invasives. The sides of the N3 are well known for being an invasive jungle. From Durban to Pietermaritzburg stands of Bugweed, Wattle, Gums, Lantana, Wild Ginger, Pines, Mulberry Trees and a variety of Sennas can be seen. Considering how much land constitutes road sides and in KZN it is understandable why so much of it has been left unmanaged, however this is unacceptable taking into account the effects this has on our indigenous flora and fauna and our precious water reserves. Therefore, it is a pleasant sight to find the N3 Toll Concession working hard to clear the invasives in an area that has been an exotic jungle for more than 10 years. Enviroworx decided to take a closer look and find out more about the clearing program currently underway. The N3 plans to clear (cut and herbicide) the freeway buffer zones on both sides from the northern suburbs of Pietermaritzburg all the way to Hilton. Future invasive control plans are in place for clearing the Cedara – Merrivale – Howick buffer areas. This ongoing clearing program will have follow up clearing teams to remove any new seedlings and saplings that follow the initial work. This is extremely positive to be seen especially so close to home. This is a direct result of the new NEMBA Act (2014) Alien Invasive Species Regulations. The Invasive Management Plans in place for all land managing government departments and parastatal organisations is having real world results. We’re excited to see what transpires in the following months and hopefully they have success with their clearing program. Please have a look at the photos and map of the clearing happening along the N3.

06/06/2016

___________SPECIES OF THE WEEK_________________

---------MEXICAN SUNFLOWER (Tithonia diversifolia)----------
_______________________________________________

Mexican Sunflower can currently be seen flowering all around Pietermaritzburg, Hilton, Howick and the surrounding countryside. It is a NEMBA category 1b (i.e. by law needs to be managed and controlled wherever possible). It is a rampant invader which outcompetes our natural vegetation and changes our soils nutrition, giving them a natural advantage and permanently altering our environment. It is an Asteraceae (Daisy) which flowers between April and June. It has large showy, daisy like, flowers which vary in colour from yellow to orange. It's native to Mexico and Central America and was brought across to Africa and Asia as an ornamental flower and has since become an incredibly successful invader. The plant grows throughout the year and seeds in the dryer months. The seeds are spread by water, wind animals, foot traffic and motor vehicle, hence it is commonly found along roadsides. It ideally grows in areas with annual rainfall of 1000-2000mm, temperature of 15-30'C and altitude of 550-1950m. Therefore the majority of KZN makes a perfect home for this troublesome species.

However, there are a some positive aspects to this plant:

Mexican Sunflower has been shown to make good fodder for livestock as it has a high nutritive quality index. It also significantly increases soil fertility. Scientists have suggested that it could be used by poor African farmers as a natural/green fertilizer. It could be used in crop rotation schemes to increase the Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus in nutrient poor soils. Studies have shown that Mexican Sunflower used as a green fertilizer results in significantly higher crop yields. The optimum application concentration was found to be 5 tons per hectare. Therefore, If we were to clear this invasive and use the biomass as a natural mulch and fertilizer, we could recover a great deal of the clearing cost. More local scientific study's and education campaigns could help in clearing this species in KZN and increase crop yields for our local farmers.

06/06/2016

_________________SPECIES OF THE WEEK_________________

----------------MEXICAN SUNFLOWER (Tithonia diversifolia)--------------
_______________________________________________________

Mexican Sunflower can currently be seen flowering all around Pietermaritzburg, Hilton, Howick and the surrounding countryside. It is a NEMBA category 1b (i.e. by law needs to be managed and controlled wherever possible). It is a rampant invader which outcompetes our natural vegetation and changes our soils nutrition, giving them a natural advantage and permanently altering our environment. It is an Asteraceae (Daisy) which flowers between April and June. It has large showy, daisy like, flowers which vary in colour from yellow to orange. It's native to Mexico and Central America and was brought across to Africa and Asia as an ornamental flower and has since become an incredibly successful invader. The plant grows throughout the year and seeds in the dryer months. The seeds are spread by water, wind animals, foot traffic and motor vehicle, hence it is commonly found along roadsides. It ideally grows in areas with annual rainfall of 1000-2000mm, temperature of 15-30'C and altitude of 550-1950m. Therefore the majority of KZN makes a perfect home for this troublesome species.

However, there are a some positive aspects to this plant:

Mexican Sunflower has been shown to make good fodder for livestock as it has a high nutritive quality index. It also significantly increases soil fertility. Scientists have suggested that it could be used by poor African farmers as a natural/green fertilizer. It could be used in crop rotation schemes to increase the Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus in nutrient poor soils. Studies have shown that Mexican Sunflower used as a green fertilizer results in significantly higher crop yields. The optimum application concentration was found to be 5 tons per hectare. Therefore, If we were to clear this invasive and use the biomass as a natural mulch and fertilizer, we could recover a great deal of the clearing cost. More local scientific study's and education campaigns could help in clearing this species in KZN and increase crop yields for our local farmers.