Southeast LA LCH Application

I rarely use herbicides or insecticides except to spot manage invasive plants or destructive insects. I do not use mosquito repellant systems and nor do I use weed killer liberally in ditches and edging, as these chemicals harm other insects and helpful plants and end up in our watershed.

I do not actively propagate Tier 1 invasive plants on my site and take action to control their spread. Five top offenders are Chinese tallow tree (chicken tree), Chinese privet, Japanese honeysuckle, Elephant ear, Yellow flag iris. (For a complete listing of Tier 1 invasives, go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/assets/Conservation/SWG/Files/15_WAP_2017_Ch_6.pdf).

To increase habitat area, I only mow limited areas of my property. I protect insects, animals and native plants in my lawn areas by mowing less frequently, mowing high (about 4 inches) and leaving dried grass, leaves and stems in place throughout winter where possible.

I rarely leave soil bare and vulnerable to erosion and weeds. Instead, I use native plants as ground cover or I mulch with leaves or responsibly sourced material such as pine bark or pine straw - NOT purchased, unsustainably harvested cypress mulch.