Notice: Spray notification to apply Cheetah Pro in street medians on Russell Boulevard from D Street to Lake Boulevard.

This application is due to the vast number of invasive weeds that are growing in street scape planters and medians. City of Davis Staff have attempted to mitigate the weed population in these areas with mechanical controls, primarily hand pulling and string trimmers. However, with the spring weather exhibited this year, staff has had challenges using purely mechanical controls to limit the growth of weeds, and have had to return to the same area multiple times to minimize weed growth. String trimming is utilized when the weeds have already emerged and have become both an aesthetic and safety issue, however trimmers throw debris and rocks when in use, which endangers individuals and their property in these high volume throughways of the City. Additionally, the current practices of trimming and mulching serve only to perpetuate the issue, as they create conducive conditions for weed growth. As the weeds are trimmed, their seeded remains are spread throughout the area. Even when they are cleared by raking, the seeds remain embedded in the soils. The mulch provides a protective layer and moisture that enables germination of the newly spread seeds, and this creates a larger area of weed material in the planters. The high weeds block the visibility of vehicular traffic when coming onto the roadways, and this increases the chances of vehicular and pedestrian accidents. The spraying will take place during operational hours as conditions and time permit between June 27 through July 1, 2022.
 
Locations to spray: Street medians on Russell Boulevard. 

Pesticide: Cheetah Pro: Glufosinate Ammonium 24.5%

Target Pest: Various broadleaf weeds and annual grasses.

Methods Used and Strategies to Prevent Future Use: As previously stated, crews have completed mechanical controls (string trimmers and hand pulling) in the medians in an attempt to eradicate weeds. As Russell is a throughway, there is heavy traffic throughout the day, and this increases said risk to staff. Additionally, cultural controls (landscape fabric, direct irrigation) have been extensively utilized though weeds still push through in spite of irrigation reductions and limited watering sources. Unfortunately, there are no other methods that can be utilized in these specific areas to mitigate invasive weeds at this time; however, staff will continue to use cultural methods of control so that these areas do not need to be sprayed annually, as well as, research new developments in order to provide the safest and least environmentally invasive solutions.   

More information on the IPM Program, including the current Policies and Procedures guidance, can be found on the city's webpage: Integrated Pest Management