Wild parsnip:
You will get a nasty rash if you pull these weeds with bare hands.
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Stinging nettle: Stinging hairs irritate soft tissues of humans and grazing animals.
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Purple loosestrife:
This perennial weed crosses with lythrum, a popular landscaping plant. Plant alternative ornamentals such as blazing star, obedient plant, purple coneflower.
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Green bottlefly Larvae of this metallic blowfly breed in carrion, excrement and garbage.
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Boxelder bugs congregate to overwinter in sheltered areas around homes.
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All spiders feed on insects and most should be considered beneficial. Wolf spiders can be scary looking, but rarely bite.
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Canada thistle
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Weed Management
To prevent weeds from taking over, plant perennial grasses in lawns, ditches and pastures. Once established grasses cover bare soil, grass competition inhibits weed growth. Careful management is the key to obtaining good grass stands. Weed problems can become troublesome when pastures are over-grazed.
An Acreage Owner's Approach to Integrated Weed Management
Leafy spurge
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Educate Yourself: Learn to identify your weeds. Understanding their life cycle will help you time your treatments for best control.
Physical Measures: Use cutting, mowing, tillage and clean cultivation to discourage weed growth.
Cultural Methods: Crop rotations, reseeding with competitive plant species, mulching, proper pasture management and other revegetation projects may limit weed populations.
Herbicides: Use registered herbicides found in the current Guide for Herbicide Use in Nebraska, available at your local Extension office. The purchase and use of restricted herbicides requires the applicator to hold a private applicator's license. Contact your local Extension educator for information on certification.
Preventative: Weeds are easiest to control when they are small and before they set seed or spread.
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Weed Classification:
control efforts differ depending on type.
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Perennial |
Biennial |
Annual |
Noxious |
Canada thistle |
Dandelion |
Pennycress |
Canada and musk thistle |
Leafy spurge |
Wild parsnip |
Downy brome |
Leafy spurge |
Stinging nettle |
Musk thistle |
Foxtails |
Knapweeds |
| Back each year |
2 year life |
1 year life |
Control required by law |
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Insect Management
Insect pest problems are often more severe in rural areas because insects are closely associated with plants, wild and domestic animals, organic wastes and ponds - plentiful resources found in rural settings.
Ticks thrive where grasses and weeds are tall. Mow lawns and ditches near homesteads regularly, inspect people and pets for ticks. Area-wide insecticide applications are rarely effective.
Pest Prevention:
Good sanitation practices include:
• mowing yards regularly
• discarding decaying garden produce
• prompt manure removal in animal pens
• caulking cracks and crevices around the home exterior
• inspecting pets and people for ticks after they have been in tick-infested areas
• controlling rodents and birds around buildings
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Prudent Pesticide use Includes:
• reading the label
• wearing protective clothing
• applying pesticides carefully: do not mix, apply or dispose of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, or rodenticides near streams or wells, where they can leak into groundwater;
• storing pesticides properly: keep in original container; lock away from feed and foodstuffs; moisture-proof storage is important;
• using only when necessary
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Before you Decide to Treat:
• Identify the insect and determine if it is a pest. Most insects are harmless and many are beneficial.
• Find out what will happen if you take no action. Many insects disappear within a few days or weeks.
• Learn whether the pest can be controlled using least-toxic control methods. Most pests are vulnerable to some least-toxic controls.
• Find out if insecticides will control the problem and what type of chemical is most appropriate.
Contact your local Extension educator for assistance.
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