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Weed Identification
View common noxious weeds in our area
Idaho Code
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No Spray Requests
Exemption from noxious weed control
Noxious Weed Control
As part of the Bannock County Public Works, the Bannock County Noxious Weed Control department is responsible for identifying noxious weeds and determining the best integrative pest management method of control. Bannock County Noxious Weed Department is also responsible for enforcing the Idaho Noxious Weed law (I.C. Title 22, Chapter 24). Visit our Noxious Weed Control page for more information.
 Dyer’s Woad – Isatis Tinctoria |  Leafy Spurge – Wolf’s Milk |  Hoary Cress – Whitetop |
What are noxious weeds? Noxious weeds are plant species that are non-native and invasive by nature. Many of these species make significant modifications to the landscape. Idaho currently has 64 listed noxious weeds throughout the state. Different categories of control for each noxious weed are stipulated in the Idaho Administrative Procedures Act 02, title 06, chapter 22, “Noxious Weed Rules.” The categories affect how each weed is managed.
Statewide early detection and rapid response (EDRR) – plants in this category must be reported to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) within ten days after being identified at the University of Idaho or by another qualified authority approved by the ISDA director. Eradication of these weeds must begin in the same season they are found.
Statewide control – plants in this list may already exist in some parts of the state. In some areas of the state, control or eradication is possible, and a plan must be written to reduce infestations within five (5) years.
Statewide containment – plants in this category exist in the state. New or small infestations can be reduced or eliminated, while established populations may be managed as determined by the weed control authority, which is usually the county weed program.
What Can You Do About Weeds?
- Check your property regularly for noxious weeds.
- Contact Bannock County Noxious Weed Control for identification and treatment consultation.
- Be aware of your surroundings and report any possible locations of noxious weeds.
Treatments
Physical Strategies
- Tillage – enables the farmer to attack many weed survival mechanisms, preventing seed production in annual plants and destroying the underground parts of perennial plants.
- Hand Weeding – destroys annual, biennial, and non-creeping perennials.
- Mowing – cutting as close to the ground as possible can destroy weeds in areas where cultivation or hand weeding are impractical or impossible.
- Grazing – repeated removal of top growth prevents seed formation and gradually weakens underground parts if grazing is properly managed.
Cultural Strategies
- Crop Rotations – certain groups of weeds are associated with specific crop rotations, and changing the crops can reduce or eliminate repeat, persistent weeds associated with those specific crops.
- Plant Competition – one of the cheapest and most useful general weed control available to all farmers. “Survival of the fittest.”
- Crop Establishment – generally, the first plants to germinate and emerge in an area tend to exclude all others, so work toward a vigorous, dense crop.
Biological Strategies
- Use natural agents such as insects, nematodes, fungi, viruses, or fish to control weeds.
- In some instances, grazing animals can be used to harvest and stress noxious weeds.
Chemical Strategies
- Read and understand all chemical labels when using.
Landowner Responsibilities
- Control Noxious Weeds on their land and property.
- Responsible for the Cost of Controlling Noxious Weeds on their land and property.
- Noxious Weed Control is for prevention, eradication, rehabilitation, control, or containment. Adjustments can be made if the landowner participates in a County-approved weed management plan or County-approved cooperative weed management area.
- Responsible for reimbursing the County for work done due to failure to comply with a 5-Day Notice.
- Any articles on the premises shall not be moved until treated for Noxious Weed infestations.
County Responsibilities
- Establish and maintain a program for Noxious Weed Control in the County.
- Employ a County Weed Superintendent qualified to detect and treat noxious weeds.
- Provide operational and educational funds for the County Weed Superintendent.
- Designate or participate in cooperative weed management areas.
- Publish a general notice for control of noxious weeds in a County-wide newspaper between March 1 and April 30 containing the list of Noxious Weeds.
- Issue individual notices to the landowner and the land operator (if possible) listing specific Noxious Weeds found and instructions for control.
- Recommend treatment plans to landowners and assist with strategies for control.
- Initiate control procedures if the landowner does not comply with an individual notice and inform the landowner of the cost incurred for control. Additional legal procedures may be pursued if the landowner does not pay the incurred costs.
Community Education
Education is an important part of the fight against Noxious Weeds in Bannock County. We want residents to be aware of what plants are considered Noxious Weeds and discover what they can do to help. We participate in the Eastern Idaho State Fair, the Bannock County Fair, the Portneuf Valley Environmental Fair, and various “Ag Days” in an effort to share our knowledge and engage the public in the Noxious Weed battle.
University of Idaho’s noxious weeds identification series: Weed Identification Series – YouTube
University of Idaho’s series on biological controls for noxious weeds: Weed Biological Control Series – YouTube
- See All Invasive Species of Idaho
- Noxious Weed Handbook
- Idaho Noxious Weed Code
- Idaho Association of Weed Control Superintendents
- Idaho Weed Control Association
- Utah-Idaho Cooperative Weed Management Area
- Bureau of Land Management Weed Management
- University of Idaho
- Idaho Statutes, Title 22, Chapter 24 – Noxious Weeds
- Idaho State Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Program
- Idaho Weed Awareness Campaign
- Idaho OnePlan
- Noxious Weed-Free Forage and Straw
Effective Noxious Weed Control requires a County-wide effort. In some circumstances, we can allow the land owner/occupier to take over the responsibility of limited sections of road-front ground to maintain that weed control.
If, at any time, it appears that the land owner/occupier is not maintaining effective control of noxious weeds, Bannock County may step in to apply appropriate weed control at the land owner’s/occupier’s expense.
If you wish to be responsible for weed control on your roadside property, please download and print the form below. Bring your completed form to the Bannock County Noxious Weed Control office at 1500 North Fort Hall Mine Road, Pocatello, Idaho, for review.
Landowner Request to Refrain from Roadside Herbicide Applications (PDF)
Statewide Control List
Statewide Containment List
Contact Us:
Noxious Weed Control
1500 N. Fort Hall Mine Road
Pocatello, Idaho 83204
Phone: 208-236-7407
Hours: Monday – Thursday 6:00 am – 4:30 pm
Noxious Weed Supervisor:
Kathy Dahlke
Bee Keepers
Call us at 208-236-7409 to notify us of active bee colonies.
If you are a bee keeper, but have not registered, you may wish to consider getting registered through the Idaho Dept. of Agriculture. This is available for any apiary, whether for business or for hobby, and may be beneficial. Click here for more information on the Idaho Dept. of Agriculture website.
Bannock County Courthouse
624 East Center
Pocatello, Idaho 83201
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