News
October is Firewood Month!
October is Firewood Month! Did you know every person who uses the Bridger-Teton National Forest plays a vital role in protecting the forest land we all love? Enjoying a campfire at the conclusion of a day’s activities could bring some unintended consequences. Invasive and destructive pests can be transported inside of firewood that is brought in from out of the area.
Native Plant: Sagebrush
Sagebrush might be our favorite native shrub! An iconic symbol of the American West, sagebrush has historically been used in spiritual ceremonies and as medicine. Today, it plays a vital role in preserving landscapes and wildlife habitat during times of drought.
Native Plant: Arrowleaf Balsamroot
We’re getting straight to the point this month with a community favorite native species, the arrowleaf balsamroot! As a native plant, it can be found widespread throughout Canada and the western US. The beautiful flower head isn’t just for show—it’s a useful plant from root to pedal.
Weed of the Month: Scentless Chamomile
For this Weed of the Month, we’re sniffing out an invasive pest that’s all looks, no substance: scentless chamomile. Despite its looks, this weed is no daisy: it can harm livestock and overtake areas if left unchallenged.
Weed of the Month: Common Mullein
We’re highlighting an uncommon annoyance for this Weed of the Month: the common mullein. This invasive plant grows big and tall, spreading countless long-lived seeds that can outcompete native plants. Fighting an infestation can be tough, but we know how to give you an edge.
Weed of the Month: Bull/Musk Thistle
This Weed of the Month is a two-for-one deal: we’re covering bull thistle and musk thistle. They have a lot in common, from bright purple flowers to pesky spikes, with a few key differences we’ll highlight. Their most important similarities? They won’t stand a chance against you after you’re done reading.
Weed of the Month: Bittersweet Nightshade
For this Weed of the Month, we’re bringing bittersweet nightshade into the light. Here are some tips for identifying and managing infestations to protect your family, pets, and livestock from this toxic invader.
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Let’s Celebrate Native Plant Month (April 2025)
All year long, we give you tips and tricks to fight the weeds and pests that bug us. But what about the native plants? The Indian paintbrush, western coneflower, rocky mountain maple, and so many more. There are over 1,200+ native plant species in Teton County, each working in perfect harmony as a vital part of our ecosystem. This month, we’re highlighting a handful of native plants and their contributions to our environment.
Pesticide Resistance in Mosquitoes
Teton County Weed and Pest District’s Entomologist, Mikenna Smith, together with scientific staff from Valent Biosciences will be conducting a mosquito “field cage trial” this month. Field cage trials are large scale, field experiments where mosquitoes are placed in cages that are strategically placed in the path of a truck mounted ultra-low volume adulticide spray drift. This is the most “real world” experiment that can be conducted to determine if certain pesticides can kill the caged mosquitoes.