Weeds
NOTICE: Herbicide Treatment at Grandeur Peak
Herbicide treatment is in effect at Grandeur Peak because we are trying to manage invasive species, specifically Myrtle spurge. Keep dogs on leash, stay on the trail, and do not touch/come into contact with any vegetation that has blue dye on it.
How does the herbicide treatment impact wildlife and pollinators?
Myrtle spurge displaces habitat for native plants that pollinators and wildlife depend on. This invasive species has zero beneficial qualities for native species (they can’t eat it or pollinate it) and has completely replaced native species in many of the treatment areas.
How does the herbicide/chemical treatment improve the situation?
Chemical treatment helps the native species because it works to reduce the spread of Myrtle spurge into new areas which have not been impacted yet. Due to the extent of the problem, mechanical removal (by hand) alone is no longer an option.
The chemical treatment is a spot treatment—the spray applicator is held close to the plant which minimizes drift. There is minimal risk for native pollinators because they do not pollinate myrtle spurge, and wildlife doesn’t eat it (birds included).
The goal of the Salt Lake County Weed Control Program is to assist property owners in identification, prevention and suppression of noxious weeds within the county.
Check out the new Utah Invasive Species Mitigation (ISM) dashboard!
Outside of their native origins, noxious weeds become oppressors with no known natural competitors to keep their populations in check. These silent invaders quickly begin to out-compete native plants, … forever changing our landscapes. Unlike other ornamental(s), … noxious weeds are nothing short of ecological time bombs.
Salt Lake County Weed Control Program
The program, under the direction of the Salt Lake County Noxious Weed Board, works to achieve these goals through the following objectives:
- Management, including eradication and containment of listed noxious weeds, on both private and public lands using Integrated Weed Management (IWM)
- Enforcement of the Utah State Noxious Weed Law
- On-site technical assistance to landowners on noxious and invasive weed identification and control
- Education and outreach activities promoting noxious weed prevention, detection, and management
- Surveying, mapping, and monitoring of noxious and invasive weed populations throughout Salt Lake County
- Cooperation with other local agencies on weed management issues
Salt Lake County Health Department
General Information
Phone: (385) 468-4100
