LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. — Researchers say there’s no quick way to control and eliminate the invasive spiny water flea from Lake George, so they’re recommending other ways to try to keep it out of Lake Champlain.

A joint task force of New York and Vermont experts looked at options to stop the spread of the creature that competes with fish for food. They considered things like electric barriers and mesh screens where the La Chute River drops into Lake Champlain from the north end of Lake George. But they ruled those out.

For now, they’re recommending stepped up monitoring and spreading the word about how boaters and fisherman can best decontaminate their gear before entering area waters.

The pest also adds urgency to efforts to eradicate a number of invasive creatures from Lake George.