Participate in the eradication of invasive alien species

Invasive species are species that have spread from their natural distribution area to a new area with human assistance, either accidentally or intentionally. Residents are encouraged to take part in invasive species work parties both on municipal land and in their own yards.
The guideline is that if you collect large quantities of harmful lupines, Himalayan balsam or giant hogweed from municipal areas, the collected plants can be crushed/stepped on at that location. Harmful plants collected from private yards can be taken free of charge directly to Kiertokapula.

Invasive species drop-off container for plants

Until the end of August 2026, invasive species may also be delivered packed to the container at Taimistotie 4. The invasive species container was placed at the edge of the parking area already in mid-May and is available to residents all summer. Only plant waste may be brought to the invasive species container. Slug bins are separate. Janakkala has in total over ten slug bins, into which Spanish slugs are delivered killed and, for example, packed into milk cartons. In addition to the separate slug bins, Spanish slugs may be placed dead into mixed or biowaste.

Cowbane

Typical habitats of cowbane are the shallow shore waters of nutrient-rich water bodies, and last summer it was observed in Janakkala at several public swimming beaches late in the season. All parts of cowbane contain the toxic cicutoxin, so it should not be eaten or touched. Swimming at beaches can be carried out safely without touching cowbane by avoiding the growth areas marked off with flag lines. Cowbane is a common plant that belongs to Finland’s native flora.

Gelatinous bryozoan

The gelatinous bryozoan is, in turn, an invasive species that has spread to Finland, including the Vanajavesi water system, which thrives in nutrient-rich warm waters and occurs in colonies especially late in the summer. The colonies do not move but attach to substrates, yet under favorable conditions they can grow to a large size very quickly. Suitable substrates for attachment include stiff-stemmed aquatic plants, pier structures or coarse-textured rocks. Reproduction of gelatinous bryozoans can be attempted to be prevented, for example, by removing colonies from the water as early as possible. Collected colonies can either be composted or buried in the ground.

Crowdsorsa

The municipality of Janakkala has acquired the Crowdsorsa mobile application as a tool for invasive species control, which will be used in summer 2026 primarily to tackle Himalayan balsam and lupines. Everyone can participate in invasive species control using Crowdsorsa to join invasive species control.

On Janakkala municipality’s invasive alien species pages you can read more, for example, about what harmful invasive alien species are.