Invasive Pests and Noxious Weeds
Invasive Pests
Invasive pests can be detrimental to agriculture and ecosystems. Invasive species - both vegetation and wildlife - cost over $200 billion yearly for management and damage caused. It is vital to be aware of invasive species that may be present in your area to report them, treat your land, and prevent their spread. Different pests require different remedies, such as companion planting with pest-repellent plants, attracting beneficial insects, conducting research into possible repellents or insecticides, collaborating with local organizations and resources for best practices, utilizing natural predators, and more.
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Japanese Beetles are invasive pests capable of major vegetation and crop destruction that were found in Mesa Conservation District in the summer of 2022. Japanese beetle adults are voracious feeders and cause significant damage to over 300 different plant species found in our landscapes and agricultural areas.
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. The effort, supported by the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Colorado State University Extension Office, focuses on targeted trapping, spraying, and containment.
Please continue to be diligent with awareness of local invasive species and best practices to avoid spread and to report as needed
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There are over 400 species of grasshoppers found in the Western United States, but only about 12 species are considered a pest. Grasshoppers cause the most damage during population booms. When their populations reach outbreak levels, they cause serious economic and environmental damage.
Grasshoppers are difficult pests to control because they are highly mobile.
The Mormon cricket is the only katydid species known to hatch outbreak populations in the United States.
Grasshoppers 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.
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Mosquitoes are a common annoyance to many and, as they breed in stagnant water, they are very prevalent throughout the warmer months of the year, especially close to water.
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.
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Noxious Weeds
A noxious weed is a weed that has been designated as a plant that is harmful to agricultural or horticultural crops, ecosystems, or humans or livestock. Most noxious weeds have been introduced into an ecosystem. Typically, they are plants that grow aggressively, multiply quickly without natural controls, and display adverse effects through contact or ingestion.
List A, B, C and Watchlist Species
List A species in Colorado are designated by the Commissioner for eradication
List B species are species for which the Commissioner, in consultation with the state noxious weed advisory committee, local governments, and other interested parties, develops and implements state noxious weed management plans designed to stop the continued spread of these species.
List C species are species for which the Commissioner will develop and implement state noxious weed management plans designed to support the efforts of local governing bodies to facilitate more effective integrated weed management on private and public lands. The goal of such plans will not be to stop the continued spread of these species but to provide additional education, research, and biological control resources to jurisdictions that choose to require management of List C species.
Watchlist species that have been determined to pose a potential threat to the agricultural productivity and environmental values of the lands of the state.
The Watch List is intended to serve advisory and educational purposes only. Its purpose is to encourage the identification and reporting of these species to the Commissioner in order to facilitate the collection of information to assist the Commissioner in determining which species should be designated as noxious weeds.
