Integrated Pest Management
The City of Colorado Springs Parks Department follows an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy that focuses on using a multi-faceted approach to better defend against pests. The objective is to control weeds in the City parks, open spaces, and public right of ways and insects that can be damaging to the urban tree canopy. The best weed control is a healthy, vigorously growing stand of turf grass that can out compete weeds. We accomplish this by focusing on cultural practices such as mowing, fertilizing, irrigating, soil aeration/dethatching, topdressing, and overseeding. Herbicides are then used, if needed, as a last line of defense.
The principles of our IPM procedures are as follows:
- Prevention- This is the most effective pest management strategy. By reducing the capacity of the ecosystem to support the target weed or pest populations through design and appropriate management, the opportunities for weed and pest establishment can be reduced or eliminated.
- Cultural- Cultural control is the use of management activities that prevent weeds and pests from developing due to enhancement of desired conditions.
- Mechanical - Mechanical control is accomplished by using physical methods or mechanical equipment to control weeds and pests. Mowing and hand pulling of weeds can be very effective.
- Biological - Biological controls include the introduction or enhancements of natural enemy populations to target weeds or pests.
- Chemical - When chemical control of weeds or pests is necessary General Use herbicides are applied. No Restricted Use pesticides will be used in park landscapes.
The majority of the herbicide applications that take place in our park system are performed by outside contractors. All applicators are commercially certified and licensed through the Colorado Department of Agriculture and only apply products that are registered through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Prior to the application being made the applicator will place yellow flags at conspicuous points of entry into the area indicating that an herbicide has been applied. When the herbicide is applied the applicators make spot treatments and only apply to areas containing target weeds. The area is safe to reenter once the product has dried.
For the State of Colorado Noxious Weed list visit:
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agconservation/noxious-weed-species
Pesticide Application Schedule
This schedule is updated on a weekly basis during the growing season. Always look for the Pesticide application flags that are placed out before application and left up for 24 hours after application.
If there are any questions regarding the application, please contact the Jarod Clayton at Jarod.Clayton@coloradosprings.gov or call 719-385-6507.
Please note that this schedule is subject to change due to weather and scheduled activities.
Starting October, 21, weather dependet
Location: Red Rock Canyon Open Space
General Area Treated: Field between parking lots and highway 24
Product(s): Garlon 4A and Blue dye
Active Ingredient(s): triclopyr (3,5,6-trichloro-2- pyridinyloxyacetic acid, butoxyethyl ester
Target Pest: Siberian elm regrowth
Starting on October 9, weather dependent
Location: Red Rock Canyon Open Space
General Area Treated: Field between parking lots and highway 24
Product(s): Garlon 4A and Blue dye
Active Ingredient(s): triclopyr (3,5,6-trichloro-2- pyridinyloxyacetic acid, butoxyethyl ester
Target Pest: Siberian elm regrowth
Beginning the week of September 28th, weather dependent
Target Pest: Noxious and broadleaf weeds
August 21st, weather dependent.
Target Pest: Noxious and broadleaf weeds
August 31st, weather dependent.
August 12th, weather dependent.
Target Pest: Broadleaf weeds
August 7th, weather dependent.
Target Pest: Unwanted grasses and broadleaf weeds
August 3rd, weather and timeline dependent.
Target Pest: Broadleaf weeds
July 27th, weather dependent
Target Pest: Broadleaf weeds
July 20th, weather dependent.
Wednesday, July 15th, Weather Dependent.
Target Pest: Broadleaf and grassy weeds