Lethbridge County has advised that its annual weed spraying program has begun.
The goal of the program is to maintain roadways and prevent noxious weeds from spreading throughout the community.
Residents who do not want roadside spraying to occur next to their property can sign a ‘no-spray agreement’ with Lethbridge County. However, the resident will then be responsible for controlling weeds on their property.
Applications are available on the County website. Residents need to fill one out and post a ‘No Spray Zone’ sign on their property. The County notes it provides the signs for free.
Applications must be renewed every year, even if a sign is still up.
The County said crews create spraying routes based off the applications received each year, so without a current one on file, officials said they cannot guarantee that crews will skip a property that is not meant to be sprayed.
Officials explained that weed spraying is done during the growing season on local roads and numbered highways. Spray trucks are equipped with low-drift nozzles to help reduce off-target application, and applicators are constantly monitoring wind speed and direction.
Lethbridge County is required to control noxious and prohibited noxious weeds to comply with the provincial ‘Weed Control Act’ regulations. Weeds that are left to grow in the right-of-way can spread into adjoining farmland and cost yields. The County added that on top of spraying, crews also mow and hand pull weeds where appropriate.
More information is available on the Lethbridge County website or by calling the Agriculture Services department at 403-732-5333.
