Step Up Efforts To Stop Invasive Plants. 3 Locate, map, and control invasive plants in your area.3 Spot spray or mow invasive plants at the right times, using the most effective herbicide or technology.3 Ensure that all material and equipment brought on-site is weed free.3 Minimize disturbance to healthy vegetation and soils.3 Clean off mud, seed, or other plant parts from all equipment between jobs or infestations. 3 Dispose of invasive plants at a landfill – do not compost. 3 Use native species in all plantings, if possible.

*State Prohibited Noxious Weeds - M.S. 18.75-18.91 & 160.23**State Restricted Noxious Weed - M.S. 18.75-18.91

**European Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica

Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica

*Spotted Knapweed

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Native plant: Western prairie fringed orchid

Invasive Species, Pesticides, and Wildlife•Invasivespeciesthreatennativecommunitiesbyreplacingvegetation,alteringfoodwebs,andimpactingnaturalecosystemprocesses.

•Densestandsofinvasivespeciescanbecomeimpenetrableandprovidelowerqualitywildlifecover than native stands.

•Mostinvasivespecieshavelittleornonutritionalvalueforwildlife.•Insecticidesaregenerallymoretoxicthanherbicidestofishandwildlife.•Pesticideswithpetroleum-basedcarrierscancoateggs,causingtheembryotosuffocate.ThesechemicalsshouldnotbeusedduringnestingseasonofApril-July.

•Broadcastsprayingofherbicidesalsokillsnativeplantswhichinsects,pollinators,andwildlifedependonforfoodandcover.

•Birdsaremoresensitivetocommonlyusedpesticidesthanmammals.

•Pesticidesalsoimpactfishandamphibians.Avoidcontaminatingwetlands,lakes,streams,andotherwaterways.

•Inordertoprotectbeesfrompesticideapplications,ownersofapiariesshouldregisterthelocationoftheirapiarieswiththestateapiarist.Commercialpesticideapplicatorsshouldkeeprecordsofthetimepesticideapplication began and ended.

Wild Parsnip Warning! - Whenworkingnearwildparsnip,alwayswearlongsleeveshirts,pants,gloves,andeyeprotection.Ifthesapgetsontoskinandexposedtosunlight,itcancauseblistersandburns.Inseverecasestelldoctortotreattheareaasathirddegreeburn.Thebestprotectionfromwildparsnipistorecognizetheplantandcoverskin.Gianthogweedcan also cause blisters.

Procedures for Moving Equipment - Field sanitation is essential to avoidtransportingseedmaterialoutofaninfestedarea.•Beforeleavingworkstation,visuallyinspectmower,trailer,andtowvehicleandremoveanyseeds,plants,andsoilwithabrushorcompressedair,includingwheelwells,grills,andblades.

•Aftermowing,visuallyinspectandremoveanyplants,seeds,andsoilwithabrushorcompressedairfromthemowerbeforeloadingitontoatrailerandmovingtoanothersite.Removesoilandseedsfromclothes,boots,andtools. 

•Cleanmowingequipmentattheendofthedaywithpowerwasherifpossible.

AnexcellentDVD“DangerousTravelers:ControllingInvasivePlantsAlongAmerica’sRoadways”isavailablefreeatwww.fs.fed.us/invasivespecies/prevention/dangeroustravelers.html

Future Invaders to Watch For Toreportnewinvaders,calltheMDA“ArrestthePest”hotlineat888-545-6684orcontactsonMDAwebsitebelow.CheckMidwestInvasivePlantNetworkforothernewinvaders.

GianthogweedCut-leavedteaselBlackswallow-wortDalmatiantoadflax

Yellowstarthistle Orientalbittersweet Grecianfoxglove

Calendar of Integrated Roadside Vegetation ManagementTimingisveryimportantwithcontrolofmanyinvasivespecies.

January•Developannualroadsideplan February•Getequipmentreadyforspring•Beginfrostprairieseedingonformerlytreatedsites

March•Contactlandownersadjacenttoroadsideprojects•Finishfrostprairieseeding April •Watch for: leafyspurgeinlateApril•Certifyherbicideapplicatorsasneeded•Springseedingofnativeprairiemixes•Spotspraygarlicmustard•ForbiologicalcontrolagentavailabilitycontactMNDept.ofAgriculture(leafyspurgeandspottedknapweed)andMNDept.ofNaturalResources(purpleloosestrife).

May• Watch for:leafyspurge,garlicmustardandpullfloweringstemsinsmallpatches•Continuetospotspraythistlerosetteswithaselectedherbicide•Continueburnsandseeding•Collectandreleasepurpleloosestrifeagents•Removebuckthornandhoneysuckle

June•Watch for:leafyspurge,garlicmustard,wildparsnippullfloweringstemsinsmallpatches•Spotmowthistlepatchespriortoseeddevelopment(side-boomsworkwell)•Completeprairieplantings•Monitorbiocontrolreleasesites;collectandreleaseleafyspurgebioagents•Removebuckthornandhoneysuckle

July•Watch for:wildparsnip,purpleloosestrife,perennialsowthistle,non-nativethistles,commontansy,spottedknapweed,Japaneseknotweed,Grecianfoxglove

•Spotmoworspotsprayinvasivespecies•Collectandreleasespottedknapweedbioagents

August•Watch for: purpleloosestrife,perennialsowthistle,non-nativethistles,commontansy,spottedknapweed,Japaneseknotweed,QueenAnne’slace,Grecianfoxglove

•Conductwindshieldsurveyofroadsidevegetation•Mowditchbottomsandbackslopesasneededforsafetyandbrushcontrol•Summerseedingofnativeprairieseed

September•Watch for:purpleloosestrife,perennialsowthistle,non-nativethistles,commontansy,spottedknapweed,Japaneseknotweed,buckthorn,QueenAnne’slace

•Completeroadsidevegetationsurvey•Spotspraythistleplants/rosettes,overseedareawithnativegrassesandforbs•Foliarsprayroadsidebrushifunabletocontrolbymowing

October•Watch for:buckthornandthistlerosettesandseedlings,Orientalbittersweet•Sprayleafyspurgeinthefallwhennativeplantsaredormant•Spotspraythistleplants/rosettes•Latefallisthebesttimetocontrol garlicmustard rosettesusing a selective herbicide

•Cutbrushandbuckthornandapplybasalbarkherbicide

November•Dormantseedingofnativeprairieseed•Orderherbicidefornextyear•Cutbrushandbuckthorn,treatstumpswithherbicide•WatchforOrientalbittersweet–fruitsarevisibleallwinter

December•Cutbrushandtreatstumpswithherbicide•Cutandstumptreatbuckthorn•WatchforOrientalbittersweet–fruitsarevisibleallwinter

Why Does it Matter What Grows in Roadsides?

Invasive plants are a serious problem Roadsides are often vectors of invasive plants. Invasiveplantscanspreadrapidlyandformlarge,dense,single-speciesstandsthatreduceplantdiversityandwildlifehabitat.

Address the problem Road authorities are responsible for controlling prohibitednoxiousweedsandotherinvasiveplants intheright-of-ways.Roadauthoritiesandlandownershavetheopportunitytomakeourroadsidessafer,toreducetheriskofcontaminatinggroundwatersupplies,andtorestoreournativevegetation.

Solve the problem in a responsible way •Learntoidentifyinvasiveplantsinyourarea.•Preventinvasiveplantsbeforetheyarrive.•Earlydetectionandrapidresponsesavesmoney.Findnewinfestations,reportthem,andeliminatethembeforetheybecomeestablished.

•Controlandmanageexistinginfestationswithminimalimpactstotheenvironment.

•Rehabilitateandrestorenativehabitatsandecosystems.

Controlling Invasive plants Prevent the Spread - Preventing the introduction of non-native species is the bestformofmanagement.Invasiveplantsshouldbeexcludedfromanyconstructionsitebyusingcertifiedweed-freecompost,cleansoilamendmentsandmulches,weed-freeseed,anduncontaminatedequipment.Followingconstruction,monitorfornewintroductionsandcontrolimmediately.Whenworkingwithinvasiveplants,cleanshoes,andequipmentthoroughlybeforemovingtothenextsite.

Reduce Disturbance • Forsafety,thefirst8’oftheshouldermaybemowed

beforethegrassis12”high.Grassthatis4-12”longismoreresistanttodroughtandweedinfestation.

• Wherethereareinvasiveplants,adjustmowingtothebloomingcycleoftheinvasivespecie.Mowduringbudorearlybloomingstagetoreduceseedproduction.

• Mowagaininlatesummerwheninvasiveplantsattempttobloomagain,andbeforetheysetseeds.

• Mowareasinfestedwithinvasiveplantsseparatefromun-infestedareas.

• Setmowerheightcorrectlytoavoidshavingoff vegetationwhilemowing.

• Stayoutofwetareastoavoidrutting.• Mostditchbottomsandbackslopesonlyneedtobe

mowedevery3-5years.

Early Detection–Developaplanformonitoringinvasiveplantsatleastonceayear;aGPSunitisanexcellentmonitoringtool.Usefieldguidestoidentifyplants.Somenativewildflowerscanlookverysimilartoinvasiveplants.Localagriculturalinspectors,SWCD,NRCS,andDNRofficesare good resources.

Rapid Response–Respondtonewinvadersquickly.Tacklesmallpatchesaggressivelybeforetheybecomeamajorproblem.Follow-upinfutureyears.

Good Neighbor–Arethereorganicfarms,vineyards,orchards,apiaries(bees),orothersensitivelandusesadjacenttoaninfestedarea?Communicatewithlandownerspriortoinvasivespeciescontroltomitigateanypossibledamages.

Efficiency of Spraying vs. Mowing –Roadauthoritiesneedtoevaluatethevariousoptionsavailable,andselectthosewhicharethemosteffectiveandleastharmfultotheecosystem,topeople,totheirproperty,andtoculturalresources.Broadcastsprayingofroadsidesisexpensive,environmentallydamaging,andrarelynecessary.It’sineveryone’sinteresttoavoidallunnecessarypesticideuse.Usemechanical,cultural,orbiologicaltacticswhenpossible.Spotmowingmostinvasiveplants2-3timespersummerwillsignificantlysetthembackandpreventseedproduction.Spotsprayifherbicidesareneeded.Knowhowtousepesticidessafely,legally,andeffectively.Selectaproductthatiseffectiveandpresentstheleasthazardtowaterqualityandwildlife.Ifwindspeedsexceed10mphdonotspray.Avoidoff-targetplants,especiallynativewildflowers,cropsandprivateproperty.Inmostcasestheprojectshouldfocusonreducingthespreadofthetargetweedsbyeliminatingoutlyingpopulationsfirstandthenworkingtowardthecenteroftheweedpopulation.

Perseverance –Mostcontrolmethodswillneedtoberepeated.Totaleradicationisoftennotfeasibleinheavilyinfestedareas.WorkwiththeMNDept.ofAgricultureforbiological controlinlargeinfestationsofspottedknapweedandleafyspurge.ContactMinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResourcesforpurpleloosestrifebiocontrol.

Long-term Management–Onceeliminated,invasiveplantscanbereplacedwithnativegrassesandforbstohelpcontrolerosion,preventfutureinfestations,andtoattractpollinatorsandbirds.Plantcompetitioncanbethemostsuccessfulformofbiologicalcontrol.Plant native prairie seed after invasive plants have been controlled.

For More InformationMinnesotaDepartmentofAgriculture(MDA)NoxiousandInvasive WeedProgram651-201-6538 http://www.mda.state.mn.us/weedcontrolBiologicalControlinfowww.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/biocontrol.aspxMn/DOTHerbicidePolicy&Guidelines&InvasiveSpeciesInfo www.dot.state.mn.us/environment/forestry/veg_mgmt/herbicide.htmlMinnesotaInvasiveSpeciesAdvisoryCouncilwww.mda.state.mn.us/misacMinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResourceswww.mndnr.gov/eco/invasivesNationalInvasiveSpeciesInformationCenterwww.invasivespeciesinfo.govUofMNExtensionPesticideSafety www.extension.umn.edu/pesticides/ WisconsinDNRInvasiveSpecieswww.dnr.wi.gov/invasivesMidwestInvasivePlantNetworkwww.mipn.orgForinfoaboutnativeplantcommunities,nativeplantspecies,andMinnesotaecology www.mndnr.gov/prairierestorationForterrestrialinvasiveplantinformation(MNDNR) Laura.Vanriper@state.mn.us 651-259-5090ForMNRoadsidesforWildlifeinformation,plans,presentations,training, andlegalmandateswww.mndnr.gov/roadsidesforwildlifeCarmelita.Nelson@state.mn.us651-259-5014

Forfreeroadsidesigns,brochures,annualyouthpostercontest, and nest box info: Larinda.Burg@state.mn.us 507-359-6035

Invasive species threaten our native flora and fauna, such as native butterfly weed and native pollinators.

Invasive plants, such as sow thistle are prolific seeders and have aggressive growth rates.

Spot mow or spot spray invasive species.

Peak nesting for grassland birds is April-July. Only spot mow for invasives during this time.

Map invasive plants in the field with a GPS unit.

Don’t spray within one mile of an apiary between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

What kills broadleaf weeds also kills wildflowers.

Remove seeds, plants and soil from equipment after working in an infested area.

Queen Anne’s lace is a roadside problem in southern Minnesota.

©2011 State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources500 Lafayette RoadSt. Paul, MN 55155-4040(651) 296-6157 (Metro Area)1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367) (MN Toll Free)MNDNR.gov Printed on recycled paper containing 25% post-consumer waste.

Definitions Invasive Plants–Anonnativespeciesthatcancauseeconomicorenvironmentalharmorharmtohumanhealth;maythreatennaturalresourcesortheuse of those resources. Not all invasive plants are Noxious Weeds and covered under theNoxiousWeedLaw.

Native Species–Anativeplantspeciesisonethatoccursnaturallyinaparticularregion,state,ecosystem,andhabitatwithoutdirectorindirecthumanactions.Mostnativeplantshavebeeninthesameareaforcenturiesorlongerandnaturalspreadcan continue to occur.

Noxious Weeds –Plantsarelistedas“noxious”bythestateorcounty.Theselistschangeperiodicallysoobtainacurrentlistfromyourcountyagricultural(weed)inspector.Thereare12StatewideProhibitedNoxiousWeedspeciesthatmustbecontrolled on all lands in the state.

Prohibited Noxious Weed: Eradicate List–allaboveandbelowgroundpartsoftheplantmustbedestroyed:Grecianfoxglove,Orientalbittersweet,yellowstarthistle.

Prohibited Noxious Weed: Control List–mustpreventreproductionandspread:Canadathistle,commontansy,garlicmustard,leafyspurge,muskthistle,plumelessthistle,purpleloosestrife,spottedknapweed,wildparsnip.

Restricted Noxious Weeds–CannotbesoldortransportedinMinnesota:glossybuckthorn(allcultivars)andEuropeanbuckthorn.

Specially Regulated Plant–Poisonivy(nativetoMN)–mustcontrolledinareaswhereitcanaffectpublicsafety

Biological Control –Involvesusingaparasite,predator,pathogen,orcompetitiveorganismintentionallyreleasedforthepurposeofreducingthepestpopulation.Anyintroducedpestpredatororparasitemustundergoexhaustivetestingbeforebeingreleasedtobesureitwillnotharmnon-targetorganisms.

Mechanical (Cultural) Control–Includesmowing,handcuttingandpulling,girdling,burningandtheuseofcovercropsandmulching.

Chemical Control–Usingherbicidestocontrolinvasivespeciesmustbeusedwithcautiontoensureenvironmentalandpersonalsafety.Herbicidesmustbeusedatthecorrecttimeinaplant’slifeandattheproperrates.

Herbicides–Achemicalusedtokillplants.Someherbicidesareselective,forexample,killingparticularbroadleafplants,butnotgrasses.

Organic Herbicides–herbicidesthancanbeusedonorganicfarms.Theyaregenerallyusedalongwithculturalandmechanicalweedcontrol.Someorganicherbicidesincludeaceticacid(vinegar),citricacid,cornglutenmeal(anorganicpre-emergent),andsoap-basedherbicides.

Pesticides–substancesusedforcontrollingpests.Forexample:herbicidestocontrol plants or insecticides to control insects.

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Prohibited Noxious: Eradicate List

Select your herbicide carefully and know if it can be used near water or not.