Why are Noxious Weeds so Bad?	Ox-eye Daisy
Weeds are considered "Noxious" because of six main reasons. Spreading Designated noxious weeds will take over and area so quickly and with such aggression, that untreated areas could easily be populated exclusively by the noxious, non-native species. For example: One knapweed plant generally produces 1,000 seeds per plant. These seeds remain viable in the soil for 8 years. Given their growth rate, that one knapweed plant will produce over 4.7 billion (to be exact, 4,771,469,407) plants and over 5.1 trillion (to be exact, 5,190,972,273,123) seeds over a ten-year period - an amount that would cover 36,513 acres! The reason these species spread so fast is because there are not native predators keep plant populations in check. Habitat for Animals Non-Native species (noxious weeds) reduce native habitat for area animals by taking away optimal forage and changing the way animals use areas. Animals may choose to leave areas infested and move to different locations where optimal forage is available. This in turn over populates the new habitat over time and thus over grazes native species making the new area more susceptible to invading weeds. For example, in Montana, spotted knapweed has taken over vast acreages of wildlife habitat resulting in a decline in elk and elk licenses each year. Riparian impacts Noxious Weeds find residence in riparian areas due to their ease of travel through water or water vehicles. Invading species take over these areas, causing erosion due to poor root structures, as well as diminishing prime fish reproduction sites. Furthermore, in times when water is a limited resource, noxious weeds, for example Saltceder (Tamarisk), which is beginning to encroach onto the Snake River islands and banks, consumes up to 200 gallons of water per day. Effects on Pastures/Hay Fields As noxious weeds establish themselves in hay Fields and or pasture lands, valuable forage is reduced as well as weeds are provided another mode of transportation within horses, or cattle to be deposited at another site. Equally frightening is the toxicity of some weeds on animals. An example of this toxicity is the poisonous nature of plants like Hounds Tongue, and Common Tansy towards the liver of horses. Biodiversity The most noticeable effect of non-native species is the reduction of native plants with the replacement with noxious weeds. This replacement causes more than just replaces one plant with another, but has an effect on the biodiversity of an area. With reduction of native plants, weeds alter the soil structure, soil moisture and organic matter, which in turn will decrease the land's ability to produce and contribute to the ecosystem. Economic Impacts Noxious weeds impact more than just the environment. Non-native species can dramatically reduce land values by up to ten percent. Furthermore, weeds cost the Wyoming taxpayer as well. Annually, Wyoming spends more than $1.5 million on the treatment of noxious weeds on public lands.
How do I Control Noxious Weeds?	Leafy Spurge
Control Options To properly reduce or eliminate noxious weed infestations, there are different methods to be used dependent on the stage and severity. Mechanical Control Mechanical control is the removal of weeds by cutting of the plant of tilling of the soil. Mechanical control is most effective if the plants are too far along in their yearly stage to spray (seeded out), and or an annual or biannual plant. Some perennials, such as Toadflax or Canada thistle can actually be promoted to grow by cutting of the roots. Chemical Control Chemical control is the most widely used and shows the most dramatic effects of control. When controlling chemically, an herbicide is used in a small quantity and mixed with water. Usually this solution is then sprayed with a backpack, or applied with an ATV using a spray gun or boom sprayer. Biological Control Biological control is put into action mostly when an area is either too large, or too remote for chemical or mechanical control to be cost effective. Biological control uses root boring or seed eating insects that, with time, reproduce enough to noticeable control an infestation. For the most part, these remote and heavily infested areas are a top priority for local government agencies, thus overseen by them.
Oxeye Daisy Infestation	What Weeds are considered noxious? Check the: State/County Declared Noxious Weed Lists Think you have some? Call Hole Weed Control for a FREE consultation now!