Leafy spurge has a number of problems with it. Leafy spurge is a
plant that is native to Europe and the temperate areas of Asia. It is
thought to have been brought over to North America in a shipment in
contaminated grain when the country was young. It has been
traditionally a problem with people who have pastures. It out competes
grasses, forbs, and other vital plants. It is a very invasive species.
Horses and cattle typically will not graze on leafy spurge and it could
be potentially poisonous to them. The only domestic animal I can think
of that eats it is goats, which are used for to control it in instances.
I am not sure of all the habitat problems that it might create,
but anytime a noxious weed takes over, it will degrade the natural
habitat that occurs there. I did some checking, and the Northern Plains
Wildlife Research Center did a study on the impacts of leafy spurge on
nesting waterfowl.
Controlling leafy spurge is very hard at best. The typical
control procedures are chemical, biological, or mechanical. The reason
that leafy spurge is so hard to eradicate is its roots. The plant is
very hardy, and even if the top is killed, the plant can keep coming
back from the roots. The seeds of leafy spurge have been known to lay
dormant in the soil for 7 years and then sprout, so repeated spraying
for multiple years is necessary to control it. Traditional sprays such
as 2,4-D and Roundup have limited use, and must be used multiple times a
year for many years in a row. Tordon is about the best chemical to use
on it (it is often mixed with 2,4-D), and you still may have to spray
several years in a row. The goats I mentioned before don't actually do
much as they graze the top of the plant and the roots are unharmed.
There might even be instances if the goats would eat the seeds of leafy
spurge and spread the seeds around in their manure when they defecate.
That is not a really good solution. The mechanical methods are not of
much use as it leaves the root intact, however if the grass is mowed
continuously the plant will not be able to make seeds and spread. The
biological control utilizing various invertebrates seems to hold the
most promise. There are currently 10 species of "bugs" that are used to
control leafy spurge which range from moths, caterpillars, beetles, etc.
In ND the root mining flea beetle is the bug of choice. This is what we
currently use and have seem pretty good success on our game management
areas. It is cheaper in both chemical costs and manpower. The bugs
work 24/7, and feed by boring down into the root which is needed to kill
the plant.
Some of the worst stands I have seen have been in the state road
ditches. Here in Grand Forks County I have noticed the last couple of
weeks that the interstate and several of the state two lane highways are
just inundated with it. This would be the ND DOT's responsibility, and
they do spray, but it is some of the worst spurge I have seen. It is
the landowners responsibility, and if you see some really bad a call to
their county weed board could be a solution. It is not only a private
landowners responsibility, as a lot of the worst stands are in road
ditches, etc. The USFWS has taken some hits on their management
practices as far as weed control, and you can find problems anywhere.
