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spectrums, soil active to foliar active or both, translocated ornon-translocated, <br />residual and non-residuals, etc. In treating perennial noxious weeds it is a good <br />practice to use a herbicide which has some ability to translocate since the main <br />target of treatment is the unseen and extensive root system. Using a herbicide that <br />works well on the above ground vegetative growth but does not translocate into the <br />root system is basically a chemical mowing action. These herbicides offer good <br />short term control but may require many retreatments before long term control is <br />realized. An important point about herbicide use is that although they provide <br />especially good visual results, follow up work is required even with the best <br />products. Total control is almost never achieved with one herbicidal application. <br />Therefore, areas of infestation usually require treatment in two successive yeazs at a <br />minimum in order to provide acceptable control. <br />In reclamation situations, the integrated approach of using herbicides in conjunction <br />with establishing desirable vegetation will work better than using chemicals alone. <br />This approach provides both cover to compete with seedings of noxious weeds and <br />competition for the weakened "escapees." <br />Some products which are used in noxious weed control are "restricted use <br />pesticides." In order to purchase and apply these products it is mandated by law that <br />the applicator be certified through the Colorado Department ofAgriculture, Division <br />of Plant Industries. If the operator intends to use any of these products, the Division <br />of Plant Industries should be contacted for information pertaining to certification. <br />Always remember to read the label, follow directions and heed the cautions and <br />warning which may be posted on or come with the container. Safety equipment <br />should always be available and utilized when handling or applying herbicides. <br />4. Cultural control is probably the most important control to utilize in preventing <br />infestation and reducing spread once weeds aze present. Cultural control employs <br />common sense to prevent formation and spread of infestations. Some forms of this <br />control include: using weed free seed and mulch when planting; cleaning tillage and <br />cutting/harvesting equipment before moving from a weedy area to anon-weedy <br />area; making sure topsoil is not harboring noxious weeds before stripping, <br />stockpiling and reapplying; education to be able to identify noxious weeds, <br />becoming familiaz with their life cycles, and mapping infestations, and determining <br />how an infestation got started, why it still exists, and how to remove it with the least <br />impact to the surrounding environment including plants, animals, water, etc. while <br />simultaneously altering the habitat to prevent future infestations. A final important <br />aspect of cultural control is that everyone must work to control noxious weeds, or <br />the effort put forth by some people is lost by the lack of effort by other people. <br />C. General Control Measures for Selected Weeds and Locations <br />This section briefly describes some proven control measures for a few noxious weed species <br />in the state of Colorado. Agricultural extension services, SCS, or weed district personnel in <br />your area should always be contacted for more detailed information and they should always <br />-10- <br />