Weed-surveying efforts by the Chelan County Noxious Weed Control Board are in full swing with a current focus on those pesky goatheads, also known as puncturevine for their ability to puncture tires.
The noxious weed team will be in Wenatchee neighborhoods through much of August, not only visiting properties that were contacted last year for infestations but also educating people in any areas where goatheads are newly identified.
Properties known to have goatheads in the past will be re-inspected and owners will be notified if the weeds are found again. Any new goathead locations will be recorded. Then landowners will be notified of the law requiring people to remove the plants and will be given information on best practices for treating an infestation. After notifications are sent, properties will be re-inspected within two weeks.
“With goatheads, persistency pays. If you are managing a goathead infestation of any size, don’t give up,” said Adam Pfleeger, Chelan County Noxious Weed Board coordinator. “There are a variety of management options, from hand-pulling to herbicides, that are effective in controlling goatheads.”
Goatheads are often found in high traffic areas or areas recently disturbed, especially in dry or gravelly sites. The noxious weed is typically found in alleys, sidewalks, rock landscaping, lawns, planting strips and vacant lots.
Goatheads, which are toxic to livestock, spread along the ground, forming mats of stems. Their leaves are hairy and their flowers are small, yellow and have five petals. They produce a woody burr with sharp spines. Those burrs, which contain seeds, often find their way into tires, shoes, clothing, fur, feathers and animals’ feet. Burrs can remain dormant in the soil for many years.
While the Noxious Weed Control Board’s priority is to educate people about noxious weeds in Chelan County and their impacts, fees can be issued if the board must control the noxious weeds on private property when a property owner refuses to take action. Or a civil infraction may apply.
“In the fight against noxious weeds, the best thing you can do for our community is to be an active steward of your private lands,” Pfleeger said.
To control goatheads:
Pulling: Goatheads can be hand-pulled or controlled by hoeing, ideally prior to seed formation. If plants have already produced seeds, make sure to remove all possible spiny burrs from the ground. Mowing is ineffective because of the plant’s low growth form.
Chemical: Appropriate herbicide use can provide effective control of goatheads. After the plants have emerged from the soil, post-emergent chemical products are effective. The smaller or younger the plant, the better the post-emergent herbicides work.
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The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
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The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
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By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
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The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.