Invading Species Awareness Program

05/28/2026

Did you know transporting crayfish overland, dead or alive, is prohibited in Ontario? Crayfish (with exception to prohibited species) may only be used for bait within the same waterbody where they were caught. This regulation helps prevent the spread of invasive crayfishes, such as the newly detected red swamp crayfish.

Red swamp crayfish are highly invasive and can cause serious harm to wetlands and shorelines. They outcompete native crayfishes and disrupt aquatic ecosystems by altering habitat conditions and food availability for other species.

If you think you have caught a red swamp crayfish, please report your sighting by calling the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711 or by submitting a report online at www.EDDMapS.org.

05/26/2026

Spotted lanternfly is a high-risk invasive pest we need everyone on the lookout for 🚨. These plant hoppers will cause serious damage to a wide range of plants across Ontario if they become established.

If you spot one at any life stage:
1. Take a photo,
2. Note your location, and
3. Report it to the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711 or online at www.EDDMapS.org

Early reporting helps protect our orchards, vineyards, and forests!

05/21/2026

Spotted invasive plants popping up in your garden this spring? 🌱 Now is the best time to act, as removing them early can help prevent them from taking over later in the season.

Proper disposal matters just as much as removal. Place invasive plants in black garbage bags and leave them in the sun for 1–3 weeks to fully dry out before disposing of the bag in the landfill. This helps prevent regrowth and seed spread.

🚫 Never put invasive plants in compost or yard waste bags, as this can unintentionally spread them to new areas.

For more information on how to properly remove and dispose of invasive plants visit https://www.invadingspecies.com/downloads/terrestrial-plants/

05/19/2026

If introduced to Ontario, Silver Carp would not only threaten our environment and economy, but also human health! 🐟 Silver Carp can grow to be over a metre long and over 80 pounds or 36 kilograms. This large size becomes a hazard for boaters, as boat motors startle Silver Carp and cause them to jump up to nine feet or three metres out of the water! 🛥️

The good news is these invasive carp have not established in Canadian waters. 🌊 Keeping an eye out for Silver Carp helps keep Ontario safe from these invasive fish.

Identify Silver Carp using these key features:
🐟 Eye placement below the centre of the body.
🐟 Deep bodied and silver in colour.
🐟 No barbels or whiskers around the mouth.

If you suspect you’ve seen a Silver Carp, take a photo, note your location, and call the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711.

For more information on Silver Carp and other invasive carp species, go to: https://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/fish/invasive-carps/

05/15/2026

Margaret Atwood is doing her part to prevent the spread of garlic mustard!

Looking to get outdoors this long weekend? Consider doing some invasive plant removal on your property. Find the Best Management Practices for the invasive plants on your property here: https://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/resources/best-management-practices/

Pulling up invasive garlic mustard on Pelee, imported originally because someone thought goats would like it. (What don’t they like?.) It kills native species, turning diverse ecosystems into monocultures. Have to pull it up before it seeds!

05/14/2026

This May long weekend, whether you are at the cottage, boating, or simply enjoying the warm weather at your local beach, make sure to keep an eye out for invasive aquatic plants, such as water soldier.

Water soldier is a perennial aquatic plant, similar in appearance to a household aloe vera plant, with sharply serrated leaf edges. This plant is submerged in the spring and becomes buoyant and floats above the surface in the summer. Water soldier forms dense mats of floating vegetation that greatly impact the environment, while also impeding your ability to enjoy your local waterways.

So far, the only known wild populations of water soldier in Ontario are limited to the Trent Severn Waterway, Bay of Quinte, Redhorse Lake in Kingston, and Cook’s Bay on Lake Simcoe.

If you have seen water soldier, take clear photos, note your location, and report the sighting to the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711 or online at www.EDDMapS.org.

05/12/2026

We’re excited to share the release of the new Field Guide to Crayfishes in Canada!

This comprehensive field guide covers all native and invasive crayfish species found across Canada, with clear photos and key features to support accurate identification. Whether you’re a naturalist, angler, or simply curious about your local waterways, this is a great resource to have on hand.

When using the guide, keep an eye out for invasive species like the red swamp crayfish. Red swamp crayfish have been confirmed in two locations in Ontario, so it is important to stay vigilant to help reduce their spread. If you think you’ve spotted one, call the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711 or submit a report online at www.EDDMapS.org.

Access the digital guide here: https://www.invadingspecies.com/downloads/invasive-invertebrates/

05/07/2026

Looking to get the mothers in your life the perfect gift this Mother’s Day? Here are a few native plant options to choose from when buying them the perfect new addition for their garden!

❌Avoid planting popular invasive species, such as periwinkle, English ivy, creeping jenny, and daylily.

Try planting these beautiful native species instead, which will brighten up your garden and support native pollinators, such as bees and butterflies:

✅Canadian anemone
✅Pale purple coneflower
✅Black-eyed susan
✅Michigan lily

05/07/2026

The Waterloo Wetland Lab is recruiting a PhD student! Are you interested in pursuing a career in invasive species or aquatic research? The lab is offering a fully funded thesis project on water soldier management and its ecological effects on lake Simcoe. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4niJKcU

View more info on the lab here: https://bit.ly/42jj6GY

05/07/2026

Our partners at FOCA are hiring an Aquatic Invasive Species Biologist. Check out the post below to learn more and apply!

FOCA is hiring an Aquatic Invasive Species Biologist for an exciting 2026 lake assessment pilot project with us. This part-time contract is ideal for an early-career environmental professional passionate about aquatic ecology and protecting Ontario's freshwater.

If you are eager to make a meaningful impact through environmental stewardship and collaboration, get details & apply by May 25, 2026: https://foca.on.ca/about/team/