Milfoil - Haven't We Always Had It?

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Why now? Haven't we always had milfoil?

No, not really. Not this kind of milfoil. There is some anecdotal evidence that some pockets of invasive milfoil have existed in a few quiet backwaters wtihout causing problems, and that may have been the case. However,

     -There are native milfoils and other native plants that look a lot like the problem milfoils. They may have been mistaken for the invasive types. In some cases, it requires DNA analysis to be sure what kind of plant has been found. To the untrained eye, a thick patch of native water marigold or bladderwort, for instance, may look very much like milfoil, and can be found in the same habitat.

     - There may in fact have been invasive milfoils that stayed put in the past, but that have recently been roused into more agressive behavior because of warmer water, nutrient loading of the water due to soil eroson, and earlier ice-out, which gives the plants a longer growing season.

What is milfoil?

But we've had it forever?

How did it get here?

So, what's the problem?

Where is milfoil now?

How do we fix it?

What can I do?

Is milfoil the only problem?

What does the future hold?