GENETICALLY modifying carp so only males are reproduced could hold the key to ridding Australia's waterways of the pest.
The introduced fish species has been compared with the cane toad, with millions clogging the nation's waterways, and the problem worst in the struggling Murray-Darling basin.
CSIRO scientist Dr Ron Thresher says they have completely changed ecosystems since their introduction for aquaculture in the 1850s.
"They've been described as underwater vacuum cleaners," he told AAP.
"They suck their way along the bottom and they spit all this crap out of their gills.
"You wind up going from a water body which is really clear - plants, fish, birds, all that good stuff - to something which is dirty and muddy and crappy."
Attempts to fish or trap carp have made little impact but a new technique first used to control insects is providing hope.
"Daughterless" gene technology causes the fish to have only male offspring, resulting in the eventual collapse of the population.
After successful trials on zebra fish, it is now being trialled on carp with preliminary results proving positive.
"The technique has legs," Dr Thresher said.
"It will work on a whole range of things."
Scientists are two years away from proving it will work on carp and, if introduced to Australian waters, the species could gradually disappear over the next 30-50 years.
There is virtually zero risk to other species, and the technique could also be adapted to battle the spread of cane toads, Dr Thresher said.
"We really need some new approaches to controlling invasive pests in Australia," he said.
"Genetics offers by far our best chance."
Originally published as Male-only genetics to rid rivers of carp