Prevention & Control

Stopping invasive species requires a combination of preventative measures and targeted control. No single tactic works for every species, so programmes must be adapted to each organism’s biology and spread. Below are general strategies and species‑specific actions that Guam is implementing.

General Biosecurity Strategies

• Quarantine and Inspection: All cargo, produce and nursery plants entering Guam should be inspected for pests and prohibited species. This includes soil on vehicles, packaging and ornamental plants.
• Clean equipment and vehicles: Military and commercial equipment must be cleaned before transport to remove hitchhiking organisms. After WWII, failure to clean cargo likely introduced the brown tree snake.
• Sanitation: Proper disposal of green waste and fruit bunches reduces breeding sites for coconut rhinoceros beetles and little fire ants. Compost piles and landfills should be monitored and treated regularly.
• Education: Outreach programmes teach residents how to identify invasive species and report sightings. Knowing how to spot a brown tree snake or little fire ant nest helps authorities respond quickly.

Species-Specific Control

Brown Tree Snake

Control programmes for the brown tree snake focus on reducing numbers and preventing spread to other islands. Methods include trapping, toxicants applied via aerial bait drops, and detector dogs used at airports and ports. Public education encourages residents to snake‑proof their homes and keep pets secure.

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle

Management of CRB involves removing and shredding infested palms, monitoring through pheromone traps and applying biological control agents. Sanitation of breeding sites such as compost and green waste is critical, as is avoiding movement of infested logs and mulch.

Asian Cycad Scale

Treatments for cycad scale include systemic insecticides, horticultural oils and releasing predatory beetles. Regular monitoring of cycads helps detect infestations early. Preventing the movement of infested plants is essential to stop new introductions.

Little Fire Ant

Little fire ants are suppressed using bait formulations containing toxicants that worker ants bring back to the colony. Surveys using peanut butter–baited sticks help locate nests. Quarantine measures at nurseries and landfills prevent their spread. Public awareness about checking potted plants and compost for ants is vital.

Feral Ungulates

Management of deer, pigs and water buffalo relies on fencing sensitive areas, selective culling and promoting hunting where permissible. Feral swine damage crops by rooting, trampling and wallowing. To protect farmland, landowners install barriers and practise field sanitation. In forests, integrated management includes replanting native trees and controlling invasive plants that ungulates help spread.

How You Can Help

Everyone in Guam can contribute to invasive species prevention. Here are some practical actions:

• Inspect outdoor gear, vehicles and camping equipment for hitchhiking insects or seeds before travelling between islands.
• Do not release unwanted pets or aquarium plants into the wild.
• Dispose of green waste properly and avoid moving soil or mulch from infested areas.
• Report sightings of unusual plants, insects or animals to the Guam Department of Agriculture.
• Participate in community clean‑ups and monitoring events hosted by schools and conservation groups.