Current Status Purple loosestrife is categorized as an exotic weed under the Illinois Exotic Weed Control Act of 1987. As such, its commercial sale in Illinois is prohibited. However, only mechanical and chemical means of control are currently available. Current control methods have only limited success. The chances of success are best with the smallest infestations, and methods of control are determined by the size of the infestation.
Early diagnosis is critical.
Decisions on control methods must be balanced with the chances of success and the poten-tial damage caused by the treatment method. Do not pull after flowering because this will scatter seed. Older plants, especially those in bogs or in deep organic soils, can be dug out. Bag and remove the plants from the site. Failure to place the removed plants in a bag could result in spread-ing the plant along your exit route because fragments may be dropped.