Mile-a-minute weed, also known as "devils tail tearthumb", is an Asian, herbaceous annual vine that is spreading rapidly throughout the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge. The invasive plant is quickly taking over wood and field edges, penetrating forested habitats and creeping into grasslands and wetlands. First discovered on Eastern Neck Refuge in the early 1990’s, mile-a-minute has been chemically treated with glyphosate and mowed annually since 2000. Despite these management efforts, mile-a-minute continues to persist.

On June 13, Eastern Neck Refuge staff and interns began treating mile-a-minute weed (Polygonum perfoliatum) with a mixture of journey and surfactant LI-700. This pre and post emergent (mixture of plateau and glyphosate) herbicide is being applied from refuge spray trucks with enough hose to reach invaded hedgerows and forested habitats.

Permanent monitoring photo points have been established to determine the effectiveness of this herbicide. Since journey is a pre-emergent, it is essential to begin treatment next year in late spring to complete treatment of the entire refuge before mile-a-minute sets seed. This will allow ample time for unaffected native vegetation to germinate and take over the invaded habitat.

Invasive species biologist, Rachel Cliché, has implemented biological monitoring of mile-a-minute to assist managers with future management decisions. In addition, she has consulted other federal, state, and private invasive species biologist about the most effective strategy to use for controlling mile-a-minute.

Educational signs have been posted in high visitor traffic areas that explain the invasiveness of mile-a-minute and the management technique that is currently being used to restore native vegetation. The signs also inform visitors that herbicides have been used and ask that they stay on marked trails and avoid treated areas.

Approximately 217 acres of mile-a-minute have been chemically treated on Eastern Neck Refuge in 2006. These acres were surveyed a second time, and sprayed again if necessary to ensure that all mile-a-minute was treated successfully. Management records are kept on file, entered into GIS, and the Weed Information Management System (WIMS).

Management of this invasive weed will continue aggressively. It is important to treat this weed on an annual basis and monitor and adapt management strategies based on observations. The reward will be diversity of thriving native flora and fauna that were struggling to survive years before.