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INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT <br />OF SELECTED FIEEDS <br />No single control method should be <br />used in managing weeds. A combination <br />of methods t1PMl should be used. An <br />integrated pest management plan deals <br />with prevention as well as control. <br />Eradication of weed species is not a <br />practical goal but reducing <br />infestation to manageable levels <br />should be the objective. ' <br />MUSK THISTLE <br />Cultural <br />Plant competition is an effective way <br />to prevent the invasion of musk <br />thistle. Proper management of <br />perennial grasses will inhibit the <br />establishment of this weed. <br />Overgrazing is a major cause of <br />perennial weed invasion. In Douglas <br />county, one horse requires 35 to 40 <br />acres of pasture land if no <br />supplemental feed is provided. <br />Residents should consider the above <br />facts when planning recreational or <br />hobby activities as it pertains to <br />horses. A general rule of thumb to <br />prevent overgrazing, is the take-half <br />leave-half principle. A stand of <br />grass will maintain or even improve <br />its condition if no more than one-half <br />of its annual production is used. In <br />other words, animals could graze <br />until, an average, fifty percent of <br />thg grass has been utilized. Animals <br />would then be removed until the <br />vegetation recovers its original <br />height. <br />Other cultural methods include: <br />- fertilization when necessary to sail <br />test is the best way to determine <br />fertilization on a site. Contact the <br />Douglas County Extension Office for <br />soil test kits.l <br />- water management <br />- where the perennial vegetation I,as <br />been depleted, reseeding adapted <br />varieties is recommended <br />- disturbed areas should be <br />revegetated as soon as possible <br />prevent weed invasions <br />Biological <br />Insects are being utilized as a means <br />far long-term management of weeds. In <br />Colorado, insects have been released <br />on an experimental basis to control <br />musk thistle. At this time, they are <br />not available to the general public. <br />The musk thistle weevil was released <br />in 1974 and is established throughout <br />Colorado. The insect feeds in <br />developing seeds thus preventing the <br />plant from reproducing. <br />Mechanical <br />Mowing will not kill the plant but <br />will lessen tl,e visual impact. In <br />addition, reduced vegetative matter <br />from mowing will allow herbicide use <br />to be more effective: <br />Chemical <br />Because of their shorter life cycle, <br />musk thistle plants can 6e <br />effe[tivwely treated with herbicides. <br />All herbicide treatments should be <br />applied at the rosette stage of the <br />plant. Generally, herbicide <br />applications would be in early ~~g <br />or fall. <br />- First year: Banvel at 1 pint plus <br />2, 4-D at 1 quart/acre <br />- Second year; (or second treatment) <br />(/2 pint Banvel plus 1 quart <br />2, 4-D/acre <br />- Third year: (or third treatment) <br />1/2 pint Banvel plus 1 quart <br />2, 4-Dlacre <br />• <br />~~y <br />'ia r <br />9 <br />