News From Our District Conservation Technician, Camryn Riddell

Summertime Pests

This newsletter is called Mesa Conservation Resource Connection, as it connects us to you! One of my personal favorite connections to see is the way that natural resources connect, from animals and wildlife, to water, to plants, to soil, and it goes on and on. Our Resource Connection newsletters will be focused on natural resources. Whether the focus is on water, soil, wildlife, pollinators, air quality, invasive or native species, best conservation practices, specific projects, and more, this newsletter will bring you closer to vital resources and conservation work.

With summer just around the corner, now is a great time to discuss pests! For more resources, view the links below to learn more.

Support Mesa Conservation District through City Market Community Rewards

Mesa Conservation District is excited to announce that we are now a part of the City Market Community Rewards program. By linking your City Market Community Rewards to MCD by using our organization number, BH872, you can support local conservation efforts every time you shop, at no cost to you! Just use your City Market card as usual, and your purchases will help to support the important work MCD does to support local agriculture in our region. The best part? Participating will not impact your fuel points, discounts, or other rewards. Check out the guides below to enroll!

Summertime Pests

Early summer is full of joys with harvesting crops, farmers' markets, lots of sunshine, and more! The warm days of summer are also a time to be aware of pests that can affect your property, agriculture, health, and safety. It is important to be aware of pests and use best practices to prevent them and remedy their impacts. It is also vital for local ecosystems and agriculture to be aware of invasive species that may be in your area in order to report the species, treat your land, and avoid their spread.

Invasive species - both vegetation and wildlife - cost over $200 billion yearly to control and for damage caused. An example of an invasive species to be currently aware of in our area is the Japanese Beetle. Japanese Beetles are invasive pests capable of major vegetation and crop destruction that were found in Mesa Conservation District in the summer of 2022. There is a strong effort being made to eradicate the pest and prevent its spread, with Mesa County reporting, “In 2024, the County treated 1,428 acres of turf, a notable increase from 1,200 acres in 2023. This proactive approach led to an 8​6% decrease in Japanese Beetle captures — from 5,716 in 2023 to 830 in 2024. The effort, supported by the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Colorado State University Extension Office, focuses on targeted trapping, spraying, and containment.

Data indicates that most beetle captures occurred within defined treatment zones, confirming that current strategies are effective in limiting the pest’s spread. Great work from the Mesa County Noxious Weed and Pest Management team, the Colorado Department of Agriculture, CSU Extension, and community members who were diligent on reporting has led to conservation success that will hopefully continue. Please continue to be diligent with awareness of local invasive species and best practices to avoid spread and to report as needed.

The end of spring into early summer can mean a lot of recreating or working outside. In turn, this may mean coming in contact with the pests that thrive in this weather. Mosquitoes are a popular annoyance to many, and as they breed in stagnant water, which can be found after spring rainfall, they are very prevalent this time of year. Some practices to control mosquito populations can include decreasing or eliminating any standing water on your property or putting up bat boxes. Bats are a super useful animal in insect control, especially mosquitoes, as on average they eat about 1,000 insects per hour. Mosquitoes are not only an annoyance, but bites can spread disease and cause health issues. Another pest capable of spreading disease and health risks is ticks. During this time of year it is extremely important to check yourselves (and your pets) for ticks regularly.  The most prevalent tick-borne disease in this region is Colorado tick fever, which is transmitted by the Rocky Mountain wood tick, prevalent in late spring to early summer.

More pests that tend to be more prevalent this time of year are grasshoppers and wasps. Grasshoppers are known to eat crops and can be repelled with some natural repellents, including garlic or vinegar spray, or can be controlled by having birds on your property, as they are a natural prey to birds. Wasps are more active in the summer months, which can be good or bad depending on your needs! Wasps can be dangerous, especially if there is an allergy to their sting, and they can be territorial and aggressive. Wasps are also a natural predator to crop pests, such as aphids, and are extremely useful for pest control, so there are benefits to having them around with caution.

Different pests require different remedies, such as companion planting with pest-repellent plants, attracting beneficial insects, doing research into possible responsible repellents or insecticides, working with local organizations (Palisade Insectary, Grand River Mosquito Control District) for best management practices, using natural predators, and more. 

Local Resource Hub Now Available!

MCD is proud to announce the Resource Hub! Click the button below to learn more about available resources on soil health, irrigation, agribusiness management, weather and climate, ag-informed behavioral health, and much more!

Want to learn more about Mesa Conservation District?

Since 1963, Mesa Conservation District has been your local conservation partner, working hard to support thousands of producers to ensure their sustainability and resiliency in the face of many challenges.

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Thank you for your consideration and support!