Great Lakes Cargo Ships Are Delivering More Than Just Goods – They’re Bringing Invasive Pests to Your Genesee County Backyard
The pristine waters of the Great Lakes are under siege, and the consequences are washing up on the shores of Genesee County, Michigan. When cargo ships discharge ballast water in different locations across the Great Lakes, invasive species could be caught in that water and moved around between different lakes, with sixty-five percent of invasive species released in the Great Lakes when these ships dumped their ballast water.
The Ballast Water Highway for Invasive Species
Shipping operators can move up to 16 million gallons of water on a single trip. In order to stay balanced, ships will need to either load or discharge what’s called ballast water, which is pumped on a tank on board and helps keep ships stable. This seemingly innocent practice has become the primary pathway for invasive species to hitchhike across the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Boats have played an especially critical role in the introduction of nonnative species, particularly after the 1959 completion of the St. Lawrence Seaway, which allowed ships to sail directly from the Atlantic into the lakes. These large ships carried ballast water, which accidentally sucked up aquatic species while helping to maintain balance. After ships reached the Great Lakes, they dumped the water (and the species), introducing a liege of invaders.
Current Regulatory Efforts and Their Limitations
A recent federal rule says all newly made shipping vessels on the great Lakes must have water treatment technology onboard to limit the spread of invasive species, as the Environmental Protection Agency recently updated its discharge standards. However, significant gaps remain in the regulatory framework.
For ships that don’t leave the Great Lakes — known as “lakers” — it’s the wild west. Lakers are not expected to meet federal discharge standards that dictate how clean their ballast water should be. They aren’t going outside the Great Lakes, so they aren’t bringing anything from outside. That’s the justification for them being exempt. Now, they may be moving species around ports within the Great Lakes.
The Invasive Species Already Here
The damage from decades of unregulated ballast water discharge is already visible throughout the Great Lakes region. Round gobies were first spotted in the Great Lakes in the early 1990s and are believed to have gotten here by riding in the ballast waters of ocean ships, while zebra and quagga mussels got into the Great Lakes via ocean ships, likely riding in the ballast waters of ocean ships and then released into the lakes.
Quagga and zebra mussels consume massive amounts of phytoplankton and zooplankton, which are tiny plants and animals that many fish and larger zooplankton rely on for food. The mussels have dramatically disrupted the entire food web in the Great Lakes basin, reducing the movement of nutrients into offshore open waters.
What This Means for Genesee County Residents
As invasive species continue to establish themselves in Great Lakes waters, they don’t stay confined to aquatic environments. Many of these species can impact local ecosystems, property values, and even create pest problems for homeowners. Earlier this year, the Genesee County Land Bank used goats to attack invasive buckthorn, which officials said helped reduce crime and illegal dumping.
The interconnected nature of these ecosystems means that aquatic invasive species can have cascading effects on terrestrial environments, potentially creating new pest pressures that homeowners haven’t previously encountered. This makes professional pest management more critical than ever for maintaining healthy, livable spaces.
The Role of Professional Pest Control
With the ongoing influx of invasive species through Great Lakes shipping, Genesee County residents need reliable partners in pest management. Pest Control Services Genesee County, MI providers like First Choice Pest Control understand the evolving pest landscape in the region. Family owned and operated since May 2005, they take pride in offering excellent customer service and offering a program without binding you to a contract.
At First Choice Pest Control, they’re dedicated to providing Flint, MI, with the best pest control services available, with their team of experts here to rid your home or business of pests while offering personalized, affordable solutions. They offer eco-friendly solutions that are safe for your family and pets, improved health and safety with pest-free living, and reliable, fast service with guaranteed results.
Looking Ahead: Prevention and Preparedness
It’s estimated that nearly two-thirds of aquatic invasive species currently in the Great Lakes hitched a ride in the ballast water of cargo ships crossing the ocean. While regulatory efforts continue to evolve, the reality is that new invasive species will likely continue arriving in our region.
For homeowners, this means staying vigilant about pest management and working with experienced professionals who understand both traditional pest challenges and emerging threats. Regular monitoring, preventive treatments, and rapid response to new pest issues will be essential strategies for protecting your property and family.
The Great Lakes invasive species crisis isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a community challenge that affects property values, public health, and quality of life. By understanding the connection between shipping activities and local pest pressures, Genesee County residents can make informed decisions about protecting their homes and contributing to broader ecosystem health.
As we move forward into 2025, the partnership between informed homeowners and professional pest control services will be crucial in managing both established invasive species and whatever new challenges arrive in the next cargo ship’s ballast tank.