Biological Control
The Shoshone Basin CWMA is accepting bids for Bio-Control work to be performed in Twin Falls County for the fiscal year 2026, June to August. The successful applicant must have the required skills to identify, collect, release, and monitor all available bio control agents that currently have been released and those new agents that have been approved for futures release. The applicant must be able to work closely with our current partners which include, Federal and State agencies, private land owners, and the Shoshone Basin CWMA. The applicant will also be required to provide their own transportation, do their own payroll, and provide workers compensation insurance, as well as, have their own crew to provide the required tasks. The successful applicant will be required to provide a detailed budget and End of Year Reports of expenditures and work performed. They are also required to provide GPS mapping of all bio-agent releases and sites within the boundaries of the Shoshone Basin CWMA. Applicants may send bids to the Twin Falls County Weed Control Superintendent at 1234 Highland Avenue East, Twin Falls, Idaho 83301 or email to [email protected]. Applicants may obtain more information by calling Twin Falls County Noxious Weed Control office at 208-734-9000. This bid will close on June 15, 2025.
Biological control of weeds is the use of one organism to control another. Classical biological control is the introduction of control agents – usually insects – into a region that is not part of the their natural range, to permanently reduce the populations of selected weeds.
Biological control agents or bio-agents may control weeds by destroying seeds, leaves, root, or stems; by weakening or stressing the weed; and/or by limiting the weed’s ability to reproduce.
- Bio-agent feeding may also help weaken weeds through damage scars.
- Once established and feeding in your weed infestations, bio-agents will continue to attack your weeds throughout the growing season
- They are target specific
- Continuous action throughout the season
- Long-term cost effective
- Gradual in effect, environmentally friendly
- Can move on their own (even into steep or difficult terrain)
- Long time until results can be seen
- Uncertain results
- Uncertain “non-target” effects in the environment
- Cannot be removed
- Environmental conditions can have an effect of the establishment of the bio-control agents
- Effectiveness of agents cannot be guaranteed
- Will not work every time in every situation
- Will not “eradicate” the weed (no complete kill)
- May not provide the desired level of control
- Sometimes it might take years before you see biological control impact
Biological control programs are not the only answer to our weed problems. In many cases, the release of the available bio-agents, are most clearly described as experimental. See this link to the Animal, Plant, Health inspection service (USDA) website https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/home , to learn more about Biological controls at the federal level. They have recently renewed their focus on noxious weeds nationwide.
Federal programs: Federal interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds https://www.fs.fed.us/ficmnew/index.shtml
Local programs: Contact your State Department of Agriculture, County Noxious Weed office, Local Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) or Extension Agent.