News
Weed of the Month: Bull/Musk Thistle
This Weed of the Month is a two-for-one deal: we’re covering bull thistle and musk thistle. They have a lot in common, from bright purple flowers to pesky spikes, with a few key differences we’ll highlight. Their most important similarities? They won’t stand a chance against you after you’re done reading.
CABI & BBCA Facilities Tour
Our research and work at Teton County Weed and Pest is fostering international connections! Following a recent NAISMA Conference, Entomologist, Mikenna Smith, was invited to expand our relationships with international scientists and tour research facilities at CABI Switzerland & BBCA (Biotechnology and Biological Control Agency) in Italy. Both CABI and BBCA are recognized leaders in invasive species management, respectively, with extensive credentials in biological control research and implementation. This trip, funded by the WWPC Bio Control Steering Committee & Teton County Weed & Pest District enabled our team to expand and foster meaningful relationships that benefit our work.
Weed of the Month: Bull/Musk Thistle
This Weed of the Month is a two-for-one deal: we’re covering bull thistle and musk thistle. They have a lot in common, from bright purple flowers to pesky spikes, with a few key differences we’ll highlight. Their most important similarities? They won’t stand a chance against you after you’re done reading.
Weed of the Month: Bittersweet Nightshade
For this Weed of the Month, we’re bringing bittersweet nightshade into the light. Here are some tips for identifying and managing infestations to protect your family, pets, and livestock from this toxic invader.
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Let’s Celebrate Native Plant Month (April 2025)
All year long, we give you tips and tricks to fight the weeds and pests that bug us. But what about the native plants? The Indian paintbrush, western coneflower, rocky mountain maple, and so many more. There are over 1,200+ native plant species in Teton County, each working in perfect harmony as a vital part of our ecosystem. This month, we’re highlighting a handful of native plants and their contributions to our environment.
Pesticide Resistance in Mosquitoes
Teton County Weed and Pest District’s Entomologist, Mikenna Smith, together with scientific staff from Valent Biosciences will be conducting a mosquito “field cage trial” this month. Field cage trials are large scale, field experiments where mosquitoes are placed in cages that are strategically placed in the path of a truck mounted ultra-low volume adulticide spray drift. This is the most “real world” experiment that can be conducted to determine if certain pesticides can kill the caged mosquitoes.
Weed of the Month: Rush Skeletonweed
Rush Skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea) is a member of the Sunflower (Asteraceae) family, but unlike many of the native plants in the sunflower family, skeletonweed is an invasive, noxious weed in Teton Valley. Also commonly called hogbite, gum succory, or devil’s grass, skeletonweed originates in Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa but has spread to many western united states, including Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.
Weed of the Month: Hoary Cress
Hoary Cress, also known as whitetop, is a creeping perennial from Europe that spreads rapidly through both seeds and persistent roots. Identified by its lance-shaped leaves and dense clusters of small white flowers, this invasive plant thrives in various habitats including fields, meadows, and roadsides. Its aggressive growth outcompetes native vegetation, posing significant challenges for effective management, which typically involves a combination of prevention, mechanical, and herbicide-based strategies.
Weed of the Month: Black Henbane
Black Henbane, otherwise known as Hogbean, Devil’s Eyes, and Stinking Nightshade, is an invasive plant that is also highly toxic. Its presence is widespread throughout the United States and here in Wyoming. This coarse and sticky plant can be most commonly found next to fence rows, bordering pastures, and along roadsides. It’s harmful to animals, humans, and the ecosystem as a whole.