County weed staff warns of Amur honeysuckle infestation; urges cut-and-stump treatment

Mike Buller, Riley County weed staff, told commissioners the county completed section-wide spraying and will begin targeted spot treatments for musk thistle and poison hemlock, but persistent rain has delayed mowing operations.

Buller said that, effective May 16, 2026, Amur honeysuckle is now classified as a noxious weed; Riley County has substantial infestations, especially along McDall Creek Road and Stag Hill. He recommended a cut-and-stump treatment rather than broad canopy application of glyphosate and said the county will provide cost-share chemical assistance to landowners.

Buller explained that honeysuckle's dense, interlocked branches make removal labor intensive and that tests are underway with private herbicide firm Cortiva. He added that some urban areas (e.g., Manhattan) have memoranda of understanding for noxious-weed work inside city limits. Residents with heavy infestations were asked to contact the county for guidance; Buller warned that aerial or heavy mechanical treatment options used by larger counties are expensive and often require specialized pilots and equipment.

Action and context: commissioners accepted the update and had no further questions about the weed program. No new regulatory action was taken.