RAPID CITY, S.D. — The warmer weather brings fun outdoor activities and more time spent outside, but it also brings a common pest – noxious weeds.
They’ve been a growing problem but their impact goes beyond the space that they take.
During this time, applicators are looking to spray about 20 different kinds of weeds, which if some remain left untreated, could take over the land and even harm livestock.
“They’re really impactful on your Ag production, lands, also on our natural resources,” said Scott Guffey, the Pennington County Natural Resources Director.
Not native to the area, the weeds usually are brought from other states by falling off a vehicle, or by seeds, which can blow for miles sprouting in areas like roadways or landowners property.
Enter in the Pennington County Department of Weed and Pest Control, which sprays about 1,000 miles of roadways every year.
Right now, when the weather permits (during times of little-to-no-wind and no rain), applicators are spraying many types of weeds.
If you do have weeds, it’s best to take care of them before they take over your land, especially when you have neighbors.
“If you let your weeds go, they’re just going to go on to your neighbors land and then degrade their property as well,” Guffey said. “It reduces property values as well.”
If landowners don’t take care of their weed problem, the county can take action by spraying the weeds if the county weed board issues a declaration of infestation.
Guffey says that in the long run, it’s easier and cheaper for landowners, who are required by law to spray their own weeds.
“It’s better for the landowner to do it themselves, it’s going to cost ’em less and then we don’t have to go through the full enforcement,” Guffey explained. “We try to work with landowners the best we can.”
If landowners happen to notice a new weed or one that looks suspicious, they should bring it to the attention of their local county weed agent.
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