Biocontrols
Whether it is for property, aesthetic, or ecological preservation, K&A is committed to providing reliable biocontrols to manage invasive species throughout Michigan.
Purple loosestrife is an aquatic invasive plant species widely distributed across wetlands and waterbodies of the Midwest. This aquatic species outcompetes native plants causing ecological deterioration and loss of biodiversity. Galerucella sp. beetles selectively feast on purple loosestrife, providing an effective biocontrol method for managing dense populations.
Since 2012, K&A has provided thousands of beetles, larvae, and eggs to clients allowing Galerucella beetle populations to expand, reducing the threat of purple loosestrife throughout the state.
If you have an area infested with purple loosestrife and you are curious how biocontrols may help, reach out to us or download the order form below to get started!
Please note that we are not able to supply to clients out of Michigan at this time.
Order from will close on April 1, 2025 or once ~300 pots have been ordered.
Purple Loosestrife
FAQs
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We recommend 3-5 pots per ¼ acre of continuous purple loosestrife coverage, but we have seen smaller pot order have great success in select locations. We also recommend 2-3 years of stocking with a rest year to follow. We are happy to work within your budget as needed.
We can provide surveys and precise management recommendations upon request.
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We distribute our beetles when they are at their most effective, this is highly dependent on seasonality. Beetles are typically ready in early June to the first week of July at the latest
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It is highly unlikely. The beetles are specialist feeders who complete their whole lifecycle using purple loosestrife, they do not readily predate on other species.
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No you do not need a permit to release Galercella sp. beetles. K&A has a MDARD permit to possess a restricted species in order to rear the purple loosestrife, under the permit the loosestrife pots must be transported in an enclosed vehicle.
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Reach out! K&A is happy to provide surveys, assessments, management recommendations, manual removal, or any other project tasks you may need!
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Simply take your pots to the wetland area you are seeking to treat, we rear our loosestrife on compostable pots, so you can just simply leave it and let it weather away with time! The beetles will over-winter in the soil so we recommend that pots are not fully submerged in water, because it may increase beetle mortality by drowning.
“K&A made the entire process easy and convenient. Our office and treatment sites are in West Michigan, so picking up our orders worked out great. I appreciated the clear instructions for transport, care, and placement of the pots.”
- Stantec
"The whole process was easy and we appreciated the ability to try to control loosestrife in a natural way."
- Clear Lake Improvement Association