Noxious weeds on private property are a growing concern in the Greater Yellowstone Area. Often times, landowners do not even realize that these invaders are slowly choking out their native plant community. Noxious weeds are not only reducing the resale value of land all over the West, they can be expensive to control if not caught early. As people become more and more aware of noxious weeds and their costs, individuals trying to sell infested property will find it more difficult to sell their property at a price that does not reflect the future cost of weed control.
Noxious weeds also increase soil erosion and the impacts of flooding. By pushing out native species, noxious weeds reduce the land's ability to absorb the impacts of floods and hold the soil in place. Erosion is always a concern for property owners living along the many rivers in the Greater Yellowstone, allowing noxious weeds to prosper on your property will only increase the likelihood of flood damage.
1. Early detection and eradication of small infestations provide the most cost effective ways to manage weeds. Learn to ID the local weeds in your area. Go to the Weed ID page now!
2. Help your neighbors by taking on the responsibility of weed control on your property and educating them about its impacts. Start by requesting a free Noxious Weed Consultation. There are numerous Federal, State, County agencies and local groups and individuals that would be willing to come look at your property with you and consult you on what the best methods of weed control might be for your property.
3. Teton County Weed and Pest District provides herbicides at a reduced cost, and loans out spray equipment to make the job easier for you. If you wish to hire someone, they can supply a list of weed control businesses in the area Private Contractor. The sooner you start treating your weeds the more money you will save in the long run.
4. The Teton Conservation District has a Noxious Weed Control Technical Assistance & Cost-Share Project that will cost share up to 50% of weed control on your property. Please click the link above for more information.
5. When given the option try using native plants to your area, these plants not only restore your property but, they are often well suited and adapted to handle the environmental conditions of your area. Check your plants native range at the USDA Plants Database. For a list of native plants to our area contact Teton Conservation District.
6. Wildflower seed mixes sometimes are not always "wild" flowers. Whenever possible, cross-reference a proposed plant's common and scientific name to your areas list of noxious or invasive weeds. Checking the scientific name can very often prevent a property planting one of these invasive species, sold under a 'pretty' sounding alias or trade name. This works for not only large plantings i.e. trees, shrubs, and perennials, but is often effective in 'wildflower' mixes. Oxeye daisies occasionally end up in these mixes. Something that can help you with this is to have one of our free weed pocket guides. Pick one up at the TCWP office.
7. Imported Landscaping
Materials can also be infested with noxious weed seeds without the knowledge of the Landscaper. They purchase certified materials but seeds are easily unnoticed during the certification process. When plantings are brought in from nurseries (especially out of state products), monitor the area around the new plant, as sometimes weeds can be brought in the root balls or potted soil of these plants.
8. During landscaping activities it is generally a good idea to minimize soil disturbance when possible, as wind dispersed noxious weeds frequently invade these disturbed areas.
9. If there is heavy equipment (or for that matter light equipment and used gardening equipment) brought in for landscaping or soil moving purposes, make sure it is cleaned prior to entry on your property. Some weeds seeds are very small and travel in caked mud and dirt, also some plants can regenerate from just small pieces of plant material, so clean equipment is important.
10. Finally, consult the experts, your areas University Extension program is very often an excellent resource, in the state of Wyoming there is another invaluable resource for small acreage owners provided through a multitude of organizations including the Extension Service it is; Backyards and Barnyards.
How do you think these three properties ended up with noxious weed infestations?
