Highway Crews to Spray for Weeds This Month

Once temperatures stay consistently warmer, highway crews will begin treating for noxious and nuisance weeds throughout the state to control the spread of undesirable plants along state highway rights of way.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says spraying will target various plants, including johnsongrass, giant foxtail, Canada thistle, nodding thistle, common teasel, multiflora rose, amur honeysuckle, poison hemlock, marestail, Japanese knotweed and kudzu.

Left uncontrolled, noxious weeds can grow so large that they interfere with visibility on highways. They can also damage pavement and embankments and clog ditches, causing drainage problems.

Noxious weeds often invade and destroy the roadside turf grass, leaving these areas vulnerable to erosion. They can also smother native plants through rapid reproduction and long-term persistence.

Drivers are reminded to use extra caution when crews spraying for weeds are out on the roadways.