Seriously, though, is there anything worse that kudzu? When I was living near Tallahassee I could not believe how quickly that crap grows. I swear you could see it do so with the naked eye. And out in the backwoods you would see buildings that the vines had pulled apart.

As for non-native species, how about gradual population reduction via selective culling, birth control or relocation (when practical)? That would give an already altered ecosystem a chance to adjust and to demonstrate unintended consequences, which could then be addressed, before they go out of control.

After all, in many of these cases, the invasive species have been present for decades if not centuries.

If it’s a recent invasion that has not gotten a foothold, then maybe getting them gone ASAP by more aggressive methods might then be the best choice.

As for feral cats in urban and suburban regions, it’s important to note that while they do certainly prey on native species, they also help control other non-native species such as most rats. In suburban areas and rural areas, native and non-native fox of course will do much the same. Since we added cats to our property, the red fox family that was often seen or heard has moved off, I presume because the cats, using the house as home base, have claimed the territory. The cats seem to have a very set hunting territory, usually always close enough to the house for protection, staying well clear of the coyotes and grey fox hangout just to the south and east of or place.

Local AC and Anderson Valley Animal Rescue have instituted a barn cat program to place ferals with rural property owners if they do not have a colony to go to. It’s a viable alternative to killing cats if they cannot stay where they are once altered. And it is an alternative also, for ranchers and farmers, to just letting existing cat populations breed to provide the service.

I was a bit surprised when reading this article that only the cats cost to the seabirds was figured in. Surely the rest of the islands ecology must be important? Wholesale rapid eradication using fumigation, poison bait etc… just has more “unintended consequences” written all over it.

Today, people are abandoning their non-native species locally and making more of a mess.

As for Humboldt, I miss it. Also the really good coffee houses—sucks to live in So. Cal. where most people don’t know the first thing about good grounds.

:-)