Biocontrol Insect Release Program

Interested in integrating biological control into your weed control program?  The Conservation Districts can provide beneficial insects for Dalmatian toadflax, Canada thistle, diffuse knapweed, and common mullein.

Biological weed control is the “act of bringing back together the weed and its natural enemies”.  Only the biological control insects that have run the gauntlet of the USDA tests and demonstrated that they will starve rather than eat anything but their weedy host are released. 

Ideal uses of biological control insects are on weed infestations that surpass one to five acres or are in difficult to access areas. We recommend releasing the insects at the center of the weed infestation and continuing to spray the weed infestation borders.  This prevents the weed from spreading into non-infested areas while the insect population establishes.  Because these weeds are difficult to manage once they become established, it is critical to prevent seed movement from infested to uninfested areas.  It is best to treat small weed densities with chemical or mechanical controls that provide immediate results.

The insects by themselves may substantially reduce populations of the weed in time, but coordinated use of additional management tactics will most likely be necessary to further suppress noxious weed populations to environmentally acceptable levels.

Please contact Bethany Byington, Foster Creek Conservation District Natural Resource Technician, at (509) 745- 8362 ext. 3 for more information. This project is made possible through cooperation with South Douglas Conservation District, WSU Extension, and Douglas County. 

The insects are available without cost to landowners and managers in Douglas County. 

If you would like to sign up for Spring of 2007, please print and fill out the below form and send it to our offices either by mail or fax. You may also call our office to sign up or come by the office in person. 

The next order will be made in May '07. Please make your requests well before this date to ensure availability.

Yes, I am interested in biological control for Spring 2007!