Garlic mustard is a high-priority invasive plant that harms native forest ecosystems in Illinois. Completely removing garlic mustard requires several strategic approaches over several years.

Prescribed burns in fire-tolerant forest communities can be paired with hand-pulling plants and chemical control to manage infestations. Fires are most effective in spring - early when native plants are dormant or later when garlic mustard seedlings have germinated. Burns prompt other garlic mustard seeds in the soil to germinate which can be removed by applying herbicides. Fires preserve woodlands by promoting native plant growth and removing immature garlic mustard plants before they can produce seeds.

Explore more resources for managing garlic mustard at go.illinois.edu/GarlicMustard.