Idaho's Noxious Weeds

Introduction

This is an online version of Idaho's Noxious Weeds, by Robert H. Callihan and Timothy W. Miller; revised by Don Morishita and Larry Lass (1999). See the copyright notice and ordering information below.

Idaho has about 800 of the nations 2,000 weed species, most of which are alien to the state. Idaho's noxious weeds have been introduced from other regions. We do not have the natural systems to keep them in check. Importing natural controls is not possible for all weeds, and it takes decades to and vast resources to introduce naturals controls. As a result, noxious weeds overwhelm native plant communities and disturbed areas, spreading steadily year by year.

Prevention and inspection are the most economical management system for reducing the rate of noxious weed spread. Once noxious weeds have become established expect to spend $30 to $70 per acre for management on your land or in higher taxes for their management on public land.

What is a noxious weed?

Noxious weeds are plant species that have been designated "noxious" by law. The word "noxious" simply means deleterious, and all listed weeds are deleterious by definition. There are hundreds of weed species in Idaho; however, only 35 are designated noxious by Idaho law as of 1977. Currently, the Idaho Department of Agriculture uses the following criteria for designation of a noxious weed:

It must be present in but not native to Idaho;
It must be potentially more harmful than beneficial to Idaho;
Eradication must be economically physically feasible;
The potential adverse impact of the weed must exceed the cost of control.

Reducing the Spread of Noxious Weeds

Here are a few guidelines to help lessen the spread of noxious weeds in Idaho.

Avoid driving in noxious weed infested areas. Seeds can become stuck in tire treads or mud on the vehicle and be carried to unaffected areas.
Don't transport flowering plants that you cannot identify.
If you find a small number of isolated noxious weeds that have no flowers or seeds, pull the weeds and leave them where you found them to dry out.
If you find noxious weeds and they have flowers or seeds, pull them, place them in a plastic bag or container to avoid spreading seeds, and either burn them or dispose of them in a sanitary landfill.
Report newly-found noxious weeds to the county weed superintendent or county extension office. If you need help in identifying new weeds here is the procedure.

Please contact: Ag Publishing, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844-2240; 208 885-7982; cking@uidaho.edu; or visit the Resources for Idaho website at http://info.ag.uidaho.edu/, for more information about this or other publications.