Shoshone County Weed Warriors Host Free Spray Days

WALLACE- Members of the Shoshone County Noxious Weed Advisory Board would like to invite citizens to participate in two free spray days in June.

The spray days are made possible with the help of dedicated community volunteers.

The free spray days have been a huge success in past years.

This is the perfect time of the year with warmer weather arriving and weeds beginning to grow.

As the weed population continues to expand throughout our county, the more important it becomes to maintain vigilance in controlling the spread of weeds.

Landowners have a legal responsibility to control noxious weeds on their property by Idaho Code Title 22, Chapter 24, 22-2407 and the county has a legal obligation to enforce the code.

Several cities have adopted weed and blight ordinances in addition to state laws that encourage landowners to control the ongoing problem of noxious weeds.

In addition to choking out grass in lawns, noxious weeds are also harmful to domestic animals and wildlife as well as infecting their habitat.

Several noxious weeds cause skin and eye irritation to humans and when ingested, can cause life threatening liver damage to animals.

The spray days will be a win-win as participants will learn about noxious weeds and have their spray tanks filled at no charge.

Landowners are encouraged to bring their own sprayers or may borrow backpack sprayers from the county.

Law dictates that we can only fill actual herbicide spray containers.

All borrowed spray equipment must be returned by 6:30 pm.

Participants will receive a brief training on methods of application, equipment calibration and safety.

Spray tanks will then be filled with appropriate herbicide designated for turf (lawn).

A maximum of three gallons per person will be given allowing for up to one acre of coverage.

Brochures with additional information on Basic Weed Management, Weed Identification and Sprayer Calibration will be available.

Providing free herbicide, training and weed identification information has proven very beneficial to landowners where this program has been implemented.

The first spray day will be June 15, across from the former Pinehurst RV on Division Street in Pinehurst, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The second spray day will be June 21, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the Osburn County Shop, 58834 Silver Valley Road located between Osburn and Silverton.

If it is raining or it is too windy to spray, we will need to cancel on that day.

Individuals from anywhere within Shoshone County can attend either one.