Noxious weeds are a huge economic and environmental problem in Idaho, particularly on non-cultivated forest and rangelands. We currently have around 8 and half million acres of Idaho lands that are dominated by noxious weeds such as leafy spurge, the knapweeds, rush skeltonweed, meadow hawkweed, and yellow starthistle. These weeds appear to be expanding at an ever-increasing rate. In the case of some particularly aggressive weeds, there is good evidence that the size of the infestation can double every 5 years.
Noxious weeds are a nuisance in urban areas too, and in and around recreation sites.
Puncture vine is the curse of bike paths around Boise. Some weeds, such as yellow starthistle and poison hemlock are poisonous or injurious to livestock and humans. Others, like purple loosestrife, though attractive, are really a wolf in sheep s clothing , crowding out important wildlife food plants in wetlands. Once noxious weeds gain a foothold, some can go out of control very quickly if left unchecked. Stopping noxious weeds on steep, rocky and arid lands is difficult, expensive, and time-consuming.