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Noxious Weed Disposal & Control

Free Noxious Weed Disposal Is Open!
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

  1. Safely bring noxious weeds to one of the participating facilities (see below).
    ​Remember to secure your load! Bagged or loose, your load should be secured by tarp or net, or be subject to a $10 unsecured load fee. This is especially important to prevent the spread of noxious weeds as they are moved from your property to the disposal facilities.

  2. Let facility attendants know that you have noxious weeds to dispose of.

  3. Facility attendants will ask for information including:
        - Name
        - Phone number or email
        - Noxious weed species
        - Address of properry the weeds were removed from
PARTICIPATING FACILITIES:
Olympic View Transfer Station
  • Hard hat and high visibility vest required for mechanical tipping.

Hansville, Olalla, and Silverdale Garbage & Recycling, and Bainbridge Disposal
  • Limit to one standard pickup load (8 foot bed) or less per day, per property
  • Hand unload only
  • These facilities have the right to turn loads away if capacity is reaching its maximum for the day
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Managing Noxious Weeds on Your Property

If you have found noxious weeds growing on your land, taking the right steps early can help protext your property, your neighbors, and local ecosystems.

Step 1: Identify the Plant
Start by confirming the species. Accurate identification is key to determining whether the weed is regulated and what kind of control is needed. Even if control is not legally required, managing all noxious weeds is encouraged as part of responsible land stewardship.

Step 2: Understand Local Requirements
Check out our County's Noxious Weed List to see if your species is considered regulated (Class A or Class B designate).

Step 3: Create a Management Plan
Our program staff are available to provide educational and technical assistance. You can also use this search tool to assist in identifying and learning how to control your noxious weeds. The Washingston State Noxious Weed Control Board offers a variety of free publications that provide more information about identification, control, and preventing future infestations.

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Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) bring together multiple strategies to control noxious weeds over time while supporting healthy, competitive vegetation. This approach is endoursed by both the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board.
The goal is to select the most effective control methods, often using a combination, while timing your actions for the greatest impact.

Build Your IPM Plan

  1. Identify the Pest. Accurately identify the noxious weed and learn about its growth cycle, reproduction, and vulnerabilities.
  2. Assess Your Site. Consider slope, soil type, water sources, and nearby land uses. Different conditions may call for different tools.
  3. Define Land-Use Goals. Whether you are managing wildlife habitat, pasture, gardens, or recreation areas, your goals will shape your approach.
  4. Select and Apply Control Methods. Combine mechanical, cultureal, chemical, and/or biological tools tailored to your site and weed species
  5. Monitor and Adjust. Track progress with notes or photos. Some infestations take years to control. Be prepared to refine your approach.
  6. Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR). Spot and address new weed outbreaks quickly to prevent long-term infestations. This proactive step can save significant time and cost.

​Control Methods

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
Biological control uses natural enemies to suppress noxious weeds. This method is most successful on large or isolated infestations and typically requires time and patience.

Common Biological Tools:
  • Grazing Livestock: Targeted grazing with goats, sheep or other animals can prevent seed production and weaken infestations.
  • Biological Agents: Specific insects or pathogens approved in Washington State may reduce weed populations by interfering with reproduction or feeding on plant tissues.

In some cases, biological control may unintentionally promote certain weed species. Always consult us, your local county noxious weed control program, before starting.

CHEMICAL CONTROL
Chemical control involves using herbicides to target noxious weeds. THis method can be very effective when used carefully and in compliance with product labels and legal requirements.

Key Considerations:
  • Identification: Know exactly what you are treating and what is growing nearby to prevent accidental damage.
  • Timing: Herbicide effectiveness depends on the plant's life stage. Treating weeds early, such as during the rosette or seedling phase, often yields better results.
  • Site-Specific Guidelines: Some herbicides are restricted near water, around trees, or in areas with livestock or crops. Always read the label for permitted uses.
  • The Label is the Law: Follow all directions exactly. Some herbicides require a licensed applicator. The Washington State Department of Agriculture provides these tips for applying home and garden (H&G) herbicides. 

Herbicide recommendations for many noxious weeds can be found in the Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook. The National Pesticide Information Center also provides helpful, science-based information about pesticides, which includes herbicides, and related topics.

CULTURAL CONTROL
Cultural control focuses on changing environmental conditions to make areas less favorable for weeds and more supportive of desirable plants.

Common Cultural Techniques:
  • Revegation: Planting native or beneficial species to outcompete weeds.
  • Soil Improvement: Adjusting pH, nutrients, or moisture to favor preferred vegetation.
  • Sunlight Reduction: Using mulch, shade trees, or plastic covers to block light and suppress seed germination.
Other Practices: Prescribed burns or crop rotation can also disrupt weed cycles.

MECHANICAL CONTROL
Mechanical control involves phyiscally removing or altering weeds. THis is most effective for small infestations but can be labor-intensive.

Mechanical Methods:
  • Cut and Bag: Remove flower heads or cut plants at the base, then dispose of them properly.
  • Mowing or Brush-Hogging: Can limit growth if done before seed production or repeated to exhaust plant reserves.
  • Digging or Weed Wrenching: Useful for removing deep taproots or woody plants.

​A weed wrench is a manual, lever-based tool designed to uproot woody plants and deep-rooted weeds by gripping the stem and using leverage to pull the entire root system from the ground with minimal soil disturbance. To borrow weed wrenches, check out our free tool lending program.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
Biological control uses natural enemies to suppress noxious weeds. This method is most successful on large or isolated infestations and typically requires time and patience.

Common Biological Tools:
  • Grazing Livestock: Targeted grazing with goats, sheep or other animals can prevent seed production and weaken infestations.
  • Biological Agents: Specific insects or pathogens approved in Washington State may reduce weed populations by interfering with reproduction or feeding on plant tissues.

In some cases, biological control may unintentionally promote certain weed species. Always consult us, your local county noxious weed control program, before starting.

CHEMICAL CONTROL
Chemical control involves using herbicides to target noxious weeds. THis method can be very effective when used carefully and in compliance with product labels and legal requirements.

Key Considerations:
  • Identification: Know exactly what you are treating and what is growing nearby to prevent accidental damage.
  • Timing: Herbicide effectiveness depends on the plant's life stage. Treating weeds early, such as during the rosette or seedling phase, often yields better results.
  • Site-Specific Guidelines: Some herbicides are restricted near water, around trees, or in areas with livestock or crops. Always read the label for permitted uses.
  • The Label is the Law: Follow all directions exactly. Some herbicides require a licensed applicator. The Washington State Department of Agriculture provides these tips for applying home and garden (H&G) herbicides. 

Herbicide recommendations for many noxious weeds can be found in the Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook. The National Pesticide Information Center also provides helpful, science-based information about pesticides, which includes herbicides, and related topics.

CULTURAL CONTROL
Cultural control focuses on changing environmental conditions to make areas less favorable for weeds and more supportive of desirable plants.

Common Cultural Techniques:
  • Revegation: Planting native or beneficial species to outcompete weeds.
  • Soil Improvement: Adjusting pH, nutrients, or moisture to favor preferred vegetation.
  • Sunlight Reduction: Using mulch, shade trees, or plastic covers to block light and suppress seed germination.
Other Practices: Prescribed burns or crop rotation can also disrupt weed cycles.

MECHANICAL CONTROL
Mechanical control involves phyiscally removing or altering weeds. THis is most effective for small infestations but can be labor-intensive.

Mechanical Methods:
  • Cut and Bag: Remove flower heads or cut plants at the base, then dispose of them properly.
  • Mowing or Brush-Hogging: Can limit growth if done before seed production or repeated to exhaust plant reserves.
  • Digging or Weed Wrenching: Useful for removing deep taproots or woody plants.

​A weed wrench is a manual, lever-based tool designed to uproot woody plants and deep-rooted weeds by gripping the stem and using leverage to pull the entire root system from the ground with minimal soil disturbance. To borrow weed wrenches, check out our free tool lending program.

Build Your IPM Plan

  1. Identify the Pest. Accurately identify the noxious weed and learn about its growth cycle, reproduction, and vulnerabilities.
  2. Assess Your Site. Consider slope, soil type, water sources, and nearby land uses. Different conditions may call for different tools.
  3. Define Land-Use Goals. Whether you are managing wildlife habitat, pasture, gardens, or recreation areas, your goals will shape your approach.
  4. Select and Apply Control Methods. Combine mechanical, cultureal, chemical, and/or biological tools tailored to your site and weed species
  5. Monitor and Adjust. Track progress with notes or photos. Some infestations take years to control. Be prepared to refine your approach.
  6. Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR). Spot and address new weed outbreaks quickly to prevent long-term infestations. This proactive step can save significant time and cost.
  7. Identify the Pest. Accurately identify the noxious weed and learn about its growth cycle, reproduction, and vulnerabilities.

Seasonal Timing

  • Spring and fall are the best times to control noxious weeds and establish native plants.
  • Hand-pull weeds in the spring and fall. Moist soil makes roots easier (especially taproots). This is also a great time to reseed with annual grasses, since disturbing the soil can cause dormant weed seeds to germinate.
  • Address weeds when they are young, before they flower and seed. Controlling before flowering means you do not have to worry about them setting seed that year.
  • If controlling weeds in-bloom, wait until after pollinators have visited, then remove flowers before they set seed.
  • Long-term infestations may require phased restoration to desirable vegetation. It may be best to reseed with grass as a placeholder for the first few years. You can then hand-pull or use selective herbicide to treat any emerging weeds and then plant native, broadleaf species when the seed bank has been depleted.