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I filled out a permission form to allow access to my property, but you never came. What happened?

The one-time landowner permission form is required before we are able to access private property for any TCWP activity. It does not, however, indicate to us your request for service. You can request an invasive plant consultation, adult mosquito surveillance, or mosquito habitat inspection for a specific service.

Do I need to complete the Landowner Permission form each year?

No, unless you wish to change your permissions or update contact information, you do not need to complete the form each year.

How do I enroll in the Cost-Share Program?

The Invasive Plant Cost-Share Program is first come, first served. Please complete the Invasive Plant Cost-Share Enrollment form before July 31. No form is needed to receive a cost-share on herbicide purchases.

Do you remove bats? Do you remove bees?

No, TCWP does not conduct management on non-listed species. There are many private contractors that manage these species.

Can you help me with a skunk/raccoon/beaver on my property?

No, TCWP does not conduct management on non-listed species. Please contact Wyoming Game and Fish for questions about trapping and moving animals.

What can I do about ground squirrels, voles, mice, etc.?

Of these species, only ground squirrels are a state designated noxious pest. You can find information on managing different types of ground squirrels through the University of Nebraska and Colorado State University.
While other rodents are not considered “pests” in Wyoming, we have had success with information provided through Vole Control and Orkin.

Where are you located?

You can find us at 7575 S Highway 89. Our office is approximately 7 miles south of Smith’s between WYDOT and Munger Mountain Elementary.

What are your office hours?

TCWP office hours change seasonally. For Summer 2024, we are open from 7:30 - 4:30 Tuesday through Friday. Please note that our office is closed on Mondays year round.

What does the District do in the winter?

The slower pace of the winter season allows us to catch up on the activities that we lack time for in the summer. These include: analyzing surveillance and control data, updating GIS maps, performing resistance testing, repairing and maintaining equipment, performing water management activities, preparing reports for cooperating agencies, applying for permits, pursuing continuing education, presenting at state, regional and national conferences, updating and delivering educational materials and programs, recruiting and hiring for the next season, pre-treating outlying sites. This is also the time of year when using vacation time is encouraged.

I filled out a permission form to allow access to my property, but you never came. What happened?

The one-time landowner permission form is required before we are able to access private property for any TCWP activity. It does not, however, indicate to us your request for service. If you have potential mosquito habitat, adult mosquitoes, or weeds you’d like advice on treating please fill out a service request or call our office at 307.733.8419.

What does the District do to control mosquitoes in Teton County?

The District uses a scientific, data-driven approach called Integrated Mosquito Management.

What is larviciding?

Larviciding is one element of Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM). It is used for the control of immature mosquitoes in their aquatic habitats before they become biting adults. The vast majority of treatments made by the District are in the form of larvicides for the prevention of biting adult mosquitoes. The District utilizes a few different, environmentally sensitive products for larviciding. The major product used by the District is a biological control agent called Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) that is very specific to mosquito larvae at the rate and habitats in which the District applies it. It is safe for humans, pets, wildlife, and other animals in aquatic environments.

How do I report mosquito activity to the District?

Mosquito biting activity can be reported to the District here. This is different from a mosquito service request, in that it helps the District collect information on which areas are experiencing adverse mosquito activity.

Will the District treat mosquitoes for private events?

Teton County Weed & Pest is a tax-payer funded Special District that exists to protect the entire community from mosquito-borne illness. The District only conducts mosquito adulticide treatments on a larger neighborhood or community-wide scale. As such, the District does not accept spray requests for private events or individual properties. For private events, the District suggests hiring a local pest control service. The District maintains a list of local contractors for hire.

What does it cost to have the District survey or treat my property for mosquitoes?

TCWP is a tax-payer funded Special District. Our mosquito services come at no cost to landowners that participate in our program. To receive mosquito services, you must first fill out a one time landowner permission form. Read more about our mosquito program and services here.

How can I protect myself from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illness?

Residents can protect themselves from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illness by following the 7 D’s of Mosquito Prevention. For more specific information on preventing mosquito breeding on your property, see the Resident's Guide to Prevent Mosquito Breeding. Want to help your neighbors prevent mosquito breeding on their properties as well? See the Neighborhood Advocate program.

I found a dead bird, what should I do?

If you have found a dead bird, do not bring it to the District. Rather, dead birds can be reported here. Dead birds that meet certain criteria can be tested by the District for WNV. If testing criteria are met, the District will pick up the bird.

How can I protect my horses from West Nile virus?

Vaccinations are available to help protect horses from West Nile virus. These are available from your veterinarian or local feed and tack store. It is important to also prevent breeding of vector mosquitoes on your property. For more information on the prevention of mosquito breeding on your property, view the Resident's Guide to Prevent Mosquito Breeding.

What is required before the District can treat mosquitoes on my property?

The District requires landowner permissions before we can access a property for mosquito surveillance and treatment. Landowners can indicate which mosquito services they prefer. Larvicide treatments can be made on individual properties because the mosquitoes are confined to one place while they are in the aquatic life stage. Adulticide treatments, however, are only made on larger scales such as an entire neighborhood. This is because when adult mosquitoes are on the wing, treatments can only be effective when larger areas are targeted. If your property is surrounded by no-spray requests, the District will not be able to treat the adult mosquitoes. If you still wish to have your individual property sprayed, the District suggests hiring a local contractor.

What is truck-mounted ultra-low volume (ULV) spraying?

Truck-mounted ULV spraying is how the District treats adult mosquitoes. The District’s IMM program strongly emphasizes mosquito prevention to reduce the need for ULV spraying. If infectious adult mosquitoes or adverse pestiferous populations are detected, however, ULV spraying is the only technique available for the rapid reduction of adult mosquitoes. A small volume of adulticide product is atomized into very small droplets from a piece of equipment in the back of a truck and dispersed as a mist over an area where high numbers of mosquitoes are present. The adulticide acts quickly, knocking down mosquitoes it comes in contact with before quickly degrading.

Do the products you use for fogging impact the environment?

The risk to the public and to the environment are very low. Adulticide products used are in the same class of compounds as topical lice treatments used for children, and tick and flea products for pets. These products are applied in low concentrations as ultra-low volume (ULV) sprays. This means that there is only a very small amount of product dispersed over a large area, typically less than two ounces per acre. Imagine a golf ball worth of low concentration product dispersed over a football field. ULV applications quickly reduce the mosquito populations they come in direct contact with before breaking down. This small amount of product quickly degrades into inert components (carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen). There is no residual activity of products used by the District, meaning the adulticides used do not persist in the environment.

Where can I find more information about the products you use for fogging?

The insecticide labels and Safety Data Sheets for products used by the District are available on our website. We are also available to answer any questions about the products used. Additional information about pesticides can be found on the EPA website (http://www.epa.gov) or by contacting the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) (http://npic.orst.edu) or toll free at 1-800-858-7378.

How do you protect pollinators when fogging?

Because the products used during the ultra-low volume (ULV) applications are not specific to mosquitoes, the District only treats mosquitoes at dusk or in the evening when mosquitoes are most abundant and pollinators are not active. Beekeepers are encouraged to contact the District so we can ensure to maintain a buffer around apiaries.

Why can’t you use non-pesticide methods to control mosquitoes?

Teton County Weed & Pest District utilizes Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) methods, which employs multiple tools for the safe and effective management of vector and pestiferous mosquitoes. There are numerous non-pesticide methods utilized by the District. Pesticides are just one tool from the IMM toolbox. The District relies heavily on resident’s to prevent mosquito breeding on their properties by following our Resident’s Guide. Mosquito prevention is a shared responsibility in a community.

Can you use bats or birds to control mosquitoes?

There are many animals that will eat mosquitoes, such as bats, birds, and other insects. Mosquitoes are not considered a preferred prey of birds and bats, however. As such, while they may feed on mosquitoes intermittently, birds and bats are not considered effective control measures.

I filled out a permission form to allow access to my property, but you never came. What happened?

Can I recycle pesticide containers?

Plastic pesticide containers are usually recyclable. Always read the label to ensure that the container is recyclable. If it is, triple rinse the container with water, puncture in the lower ⅓ of the container to prevent reuse, and recycle as appropriate.

Where can I dispose of unused pesticides?

Pesticides that are still active (have not frozen hard, not discolored, and have not mixed with water, etc.) and still in their original container with label attached can be used according to the label. You may wish to pass them to a friend or neighbor that can use them appropriately. If they can no longer be used or be used safely, schedule an appointment with Teton County Household Hazardous Waste to ensure proper disposal.

Are your herbicides safe?

You can find information on how to use pesticides and pesticide safety on our Using Pesticides page.

What areas do your crews spray?/How do I know where your crews have been?/Do you spray in Grand Teton?/Why did you spray everything on the levee?

Follow the links to find out more about our Field Programs and individual Program Areas.

What’s the worst invasive species in Teton County?

There is no one worst invasive species in Teton County. TCWP prioritizes management of some species over others based on their population within the county, how rapidly the species spreads, and difficulty of management. You can find out more about high priority species on our Early Detection and Rapid Response page.

How do I report an infestation?

You can submit a report using our Report Invasive Plant Infestation form. Reports are considered anonymous. Inspections will occur as phenologically appropriate for the reported species. To ensure landowner privacy, TCWP does not report back on the status of an infestation report. Because of board approved and statutorily regulated timelines, you may not see a visual improvement within the growing season, but please be aware that your report is taken seriously.

Will you spray my weeds?

No, TCWP does not manage weeds on private property unless they are an EDRR species. There are many private contractors that do conduct invasive plant management on private property. If you would like to complete the work on your own, you can contact us for a consultation, borrow a backpack sprayer, or purchase herbicide (at 50% cost-share for Teton County residents).

How do I manage invasive plants on my property?

TCWP recommends utilizing Integrated Plant Management (IPM) when conducting management on your property. IPM uses a combination of all management strategies (prevention, cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical) as appropriate for the landscape and species present. You can find out more about each management strategy and when to use them on our Integrated Plant Management page. Don’t forget to enroll in our Invasive Plant Cost-Share Reimbursement Program!

Can you help me ID my plants?

We encourage you to learn how to distinguish identifying characteristics of plants or to utilize smartphone identifier tools and apps. You can also send us a clear photo through our Plant or Insect Identification form.

What species are invasive?

You can find a list and description of all designated and declared plants in our Invasive Plant Directory

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How are weeds different from invasive plants?

A weed is any plant growing where it is undesired. Many species of plants may be weedy, including native species. Invasive plants are plants that are not native to a region and cause, or are likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. In Wyoming, species may be designated or declared noxious if they are determined to be detrimental to the general health or welfare of the state or county by impacting native plant communities or agricultural crops, poisoning or impacting livestock, or carrying diseases or parasites.

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