BISMARCK – Field days have been finalized at multiple North Dakota sites to collect and redistribute flea beetles that eat leafy spurge.
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said persons interested in acquiring the flea beetles to release on their own property can collect them from established populations at the field day sites.
“Leafy spurge continues to be one of North Dakota’s most difficult-to-control noxious weeds,” Goehring said. “Using the flea beetles for biological control, as part of an integrated pest management plan, has proven to be an effective tool in combatting leafy spurge infestations.”
Remaining field days are as follows:
- Billings County – 10 a.m. MDT, Thursday, July 1 at Wannagan Creek Road north of Medora.
- Benson County – 11 a.m. CDT, Thursday, July 1 (alternate date Friday, July 2 in case of inclement weather) – one-half mile east of Pleasant Lake rest area, south side of Highway 2. Nets and refreshments provided.
All attendees are asked to help collect and all beetles collected are distributed evenly. Attendees should bring a cooler with ice packs to transport the flea beetles and are asked to bring sweep nets if they have them.
More information and specific directions to field day sites are available by contacting the applicable local weed control officer:
- For Billings County, contact Katie Dillman at (701) 218-0113.
- For Benson County, contact Tim Finley at (701) 798-2776.
The field days are co-hosted by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the weed boards of the respective counties.