5 Invasive Species Facts That Will Make You Rethink Your Backyard
- The Asian giant hornet, or "murder hornet," is not just a terrifying name—it can wipe out an entire honeybee hive in hours, threatening crops that rely on pollination.
- Feral hogs in the U.S. cause $2.5 billion in agricultural damage annually and are now breeding so fast that hunting alone can't stop their spread.
- Burmese pythons in Florida's Everglades have decimated 90% of small mammal populations, making the region a stark example of invasive species takeover.
- Lionfish in the Atlantic have no natural predators, and a single female can release up to 2 million eggs per year, disrupting coral reef ecosystems.
- The humble zebra mussel clogs water pipes and damages boats, costing Great Lakes communities over $500 million yearly—and it hitched a ride in ship ballast water.