The economic cost of invasive species to these United States is staggering. According to a 2005 article from sciencedirect.com: "Invading alien species in the United States cause major environmental damages and losses adding up to almost $120 billion per year. There are approximately 50,000 foreign species and the number is increasing. About 42% of the species on the Threatened or Endangered species lists are at risk primarily because of alien-invasive species." I won't spend time fact checking that claim. Feel free to do that on your own. One thing I am sure of, it has only gotten worse since then.
English Ivy, Garlic Mustard, Northern Snakehead, Zebra Mussels, Ferril Hogs, Nutria, Norwegian Rats, Burmese Pythons, Stink bugs ... the list goes on and on. For me, the worst is the Asian Tiger Mosquito. It is a fierce hunter; and this time of year, I can't go out in my yard without a can of insect repellant. I spray it on exposed skin to keep from getting bitten ... and then I like to spray it on Flying Tiger Mosquitos. It doesn't kill them, but it fills them with self-loathing - a cerebral victory if nothing else.
English Ivy, Garlic Mustard, Northern Snakehead, Zebra Mussels, Ferril Hogs, Nutria, Norwegian Rats, Burmese Pythons, Stink bugs ... the list goes on and on. For me, the worst is the Asian Tiger Mosquito. It is a fierce hunter; and this time of year, I can't go out in my yard without a can of insect repellant. I spray it on exposed skin to keep from getting bitten ... and then I like to spray it on Flying Tiger Mosquitos. It doesn't kill them, but it fills them with self-loathing - a cerebral victory if nothing else.
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