Sheridan County Weed & Pest

07/13/2026

Grasshoppers infestations, old and new.

This year, with the warm winter and drought that is plaguing Sheridan County, it is the ideal climate for a devastating pest. Grasshoppers. Grasshoppers have, periodically been a problem for farmers and ranchers for hundreds of years, in the United States as well as many other countries. This infest...

07/09/2026

When it’s too windy for spraying leafy spurge, we recruit beetles to do the hard work for us. These leafy spurge beetles eat the leafy spurge and nothing else. Over the course of a few years, they will significantly damage the spurge or even eliminate entire infestations. We often use them in sensitive or hard-to-access areas where spraying isn’t a good fit. The beetles are used as one piece of an integrated management approach. By combining beetles with herbicides, targeted grazing, and other methods we are able to kill leafy spurge faster and cheaper than if we use only one tool at a time. Here, we are collecting beetles to be moved to other spurge infested areas before they eat so much spurge in this area that they kill their food source and die out! Thanks to the help of the Campbell County W**d and Pest crews, we were able to collect and redistribute over 130,000 beetles in just a few hours. Scroll to the end to see what a spurge plant looks once the beetles are done with it!

06/17/2026

Have you ever wondered how those pesky weeds end up in your yard or along your favorite hiking trail?

One of the most common ways weeds spread throughout the county is by hitching a ride on vehicles, pets, clothing, shoes, and outdoor gear. Once seeds attach, they can be unknowingly carried long distances and introduced into new areas.

With the Bighorn Trail Run coming up, we encourage everyone to take a few minutes to clean their shoes and gear before hitting the trail. A simple step can make a big difference in helping keep public lands free of new invasive weeds.

05/29/2026

Like a good neighbor… keep your weeds over there. 😆
But seriously, that little patch of leafy spurge along the fence line? It won't stay little. Spurge, knapweed, Canada thistle, and houndstongue spread fast, and what's a weekend spray job today can turn into a multi-thousand-dollar infestation in a few seasons. Once it gets into pasture or hay ground, it crowds out forage, drops land values, and can be toxic to livestock and wildlife.
Noxious weeds aren't just an eyesore. They cost Wyoming ranchers, landowners, and taxpayers millions every year, and they degrade the rangelands, waterways, and wildlife habitat that make this place what it is.
The fix is cheap and easy when the patch is small. Spray it, pull it, or call us for help before it becomes your neighbor's problem.

Send this to your neighbor who needs to control their weeds! 😉

05/08/2026

Sheridan County W**d and Pest Control District alerted the public to several reports of ticks from community members and encountered numerous ticks while performing spring surveys for weeds, grasshoppers, and mosquitoes. Assistant Supervisor Brian Songer spends hours in the field performing surveys....

05/08/2026

Leafy spurge, a leafy scourge to ranchers and farmers in Wyoming and many other western states, was the topic of a program given by the Sheridan County W**d and Pest in Clearmont on Wednesday, May 6. Walker Billings, District Supervisor and Assistant Supervisors, Brian Songer, and Jane Sylvestre, pr...

05/04/2026

More than 100 years ago, in June of 1921, The Sheridan Post ran an article warning residents about the progressing grasshopper infestation.

04/24/2026

Thinking about becoming a certified commercial or private pesticide applicator? Or maybe you just want to feel more confident in your ability to safely use pesticides to manage weeds or pests?

If so, consider signing up for the Pesticide Safety and Application community interest course THIS WEEKEND at Sheridan College.

This course will prepare you to take and pass the Wyoming commercial or private pesticide applicator exam.

04/23/2026

Tick season is here!

Our staff have already collected and identified 21 ticks from around the county. As the days have gotten warmer, these tiny pests have become more active, increasing the risk for both people and pets.

Help protect yourself and your furry friends by taking a few simple precautions:
• Perform full tick checks after being outside
• Tuck long pants into your socks
• Use insect repellent when appropriate

To better understand potential health risks, these ticks will be sent to our colleagues at Teton County W**d and Pest District for disease testing.

If you find a tick, secure it in a baggie with some grass, note the location where you found it and whether it was attached to you or your pets, then bring it into our office. Bringing in ticks from different areas of our county helps us better understand the tick populations and the risk of tick borne disease to our community.

03/27/2026

It's almost time to start monitoring for grasshoppers! Large-scale grasshopper treatments can only be done when the timing is right and populations truly call for it—so keep an eye out early in the season.

The best way for SCWP to track grasshopper activity across the county is by hearing from you—give our office a call if you’re seeing high populations, and of course if you have any questions!

Office phone: 307-672-3740