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Show T1IETIMES-1NDEPF.NDF.N- T Exotic bugs taking bite out of weeds Five years ago when Tim Higgs and Dawn Holzer released some diffuse knapweed-eatinbeetles in a field east of Moab, they hoped to see the bugs again, but had their doubts. Higgs, who is Grand Countys weed control supervisor, and Holzer of the federal Animal and Plant Health Protection Service, wanted the beetles to reproduce and establish a colony. The beetle release was an experiment to see if spread of noxious diffuse knapweed which is native to the Mediterranean region but has arrived in Grand County could be controlled here with bugs native to the Mediterranean region. Diffuse knapweed invades dry range-lang limiting growth of desirable plants. Last year Higgs and Holzer breathed a sigh of relief when they returned to the field for the first time since the release, finding beetles eating the weed. Their survival over four winters was a milestone for biological weed control in Grand County. For the first time we were able to find the root boring beetles and move a few to a nearby site," Holzer said. We did the first recovery and redistribution work." She said five types of exotic bugs have been released in knapweed infestations in Grand County, including one insect that attacks Russian knapweed the most pervasive weed in the county ifsalt cedar isn't counted. An Asian insect that eats salt cedar, which also is from Asia, still is being tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has required the tests to determine if the insect's appetite could threaten survival ofthe Southwest willow an endangered bird. The bird often nests in salt cedar, though it usually prefers native willows. Biological control of noxious weeds received some criticism in the 1970s, when a weevil a weed that attacks noxious musk thistle that arrived in the United States from Euwas released in the Northrope and Asia ern Plains states and began eating a native a bad thistle. Its kind of given name overall," Holzer said. It was released before the permitting process was in place. There is an awful lot of testing now." Jack DeLoach, a USDA entomologist, has traveled to Asia to study the feeding habits of the salt cedar-eatin- g insect, where it cats nothing but salt cedar. DeLoach said he also has studied the insect in USDA laboratories where the bug is given every opportunity to eat plants other than salt cedar, but thats all it eats. DeLoach said biological control is not a cure-a- ll for noxious weeds because exotic insects never completely eradicate a plant species. If the salt cedar bug is released in the Southwest, he expects it could reduce infestations of the plant by 75-8- 0 percent He said the insects could take 15 years before making a noticeable impact Every time a biological agent has been introduced that was successful, the weed no longer looks aggressive and its knocked down substantially, becoming part ofthe native plant community," DeLoach said. Its still there in lower numbers and it will always be there, but not enough to cause damage anymore. It's in balance with everything else Russian knapweed can be killed with herbicides and salt cedar trees destroyed by cutting them down and applying herbicide to the stumps. The plants are so widespread in Grand County, however, the only way to control them is with exotic insects, says Grand County weed board member Gary Wilson. Its the only way you can afford it," Wilson said. You could not spend enough money on chemicals to kill all the salt cedar in the Colorado River Basin drainage, or the knapweed." Holzer says an advantage ofbiological weed control is that insects will attack unseen weeds, as they did scatter diffuse knapweed plants on five acres in Grand County where ol knapweed bugs were released. Thats one of the beauties with insects; they can find plants mixed in with the sage brush," Holzer said. Its hard for a person to walk through and see it all, but the insects will find it." But the knapweed bugs are not a quick fix, she added. Its taken 7 years to see some results. People have to be aware of that up front, and be patient and give it some time to take effect." Dave Thompson, a professor of entomology at New Mexico State University, says exotic bug testing at USDA laboratories is a operation. Thompson said he visited the USDA earthquake-proo- f laboratory in Tbmple, Hxas, where the salt cedar bug has been confined for almost 10 years since it was REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE 5 brought from Asia. You actually go through a d double- - and contamination room that is pitch black," Thompson said. The toilets are screened, everything that goes out of the place is screened. They maintain a nega triple-doore- tive pressure inside so if theres a crack it sucks air in, instead of pushing air out." Thom)son said USDA studies and laboratory tests of an insect can cost $1 million before a decision is made to release it into the environment. 5-- high-securi- ty 1 400) located on a lot size of I acre mI (100x435). 2 bedroom, 2 bath, separate f cNVONLAAr laundry room, dishwasher, refrigerator, storage shed, partially fenced and landscaped. Call Lenore. PRICE: $52,000 LAND A LOTS MLS 13044; LANDSCAPED BUILDING LUU.23 acres w fenced lawn & variety of fruit trees. Owner financing available. 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Open floor plan, oversized garage, hot tub, color concrete floors in entry, kitchen, & dinning room French doors to patio. Call Sandy. PRICE: $195,000 2-- 3 RESIDENTIAL sq. ft., 3 bedroom, 2 bath. Vaulted ceilings, patio, garage, community pool, fully landscaped fenced yard w sprinkler system. Unique tile in kitchen, dinning, & living rooms. Many more luxuries. Must see to appreciate. Call Sandy. PRICE: $179,900 HOME 1775 sq. ft., 3 bedroom 2 bath. Large Sun Room w gas fireplace. Great work space with tons of storage. Fully landscaped, several varieties of fruit trees. Call Lenore. PRICE: $169,000. MLS f 3005: LIKE NEW TOWNHOME 2 bedroom 2 bath w great views of The Portal. Private courtyard, patio, community pool. Maintenance free Southwestern design, no yard work. MLS 3011; BRAND NEW HOME WITH SPECTACULAR VIEWS 1411 sq. ft., well built home, has 3 bedrooms St 1 34 baths. Fantastic view of the Portal. Many extras including backing up to working farm. Must see!! Call Mary. 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Sprinklers, whirlpool, ceiling fan, centra! air. Call Dave. PRICE: $216,900 beautiful 1995 single wide trailer, 980 sq. ft. acres m1 in MLSJ2422LDEYELQPETL10 MOAB VALLEY. Will make a great residential development. Includes water right to spring.. OwnerBroker. PRICE: $235,000 subdivision lots only. Ready for your dream home. Above the Golf Course with unrestricted views. Call Sandy. PRICE: STARTS AT $40,000 LA SAL ESTATES: 20-ldevelopment with CC&Rs to protect your future investment. 15 Lots available. Ranging in size from 1.86 - 3.36 acres. Includes access to a 4 acre base duck pond. Call now for more information. Owner financing is available. OwnerBroker. PRICE: STARTS AT $14,88. COMMERCIAL MLS 2423: MAIN STREET Property that is 2.83 acres in prime main street frontage located within Moab City Limits (approximately 385 feet of frontage). Zoned commercially, very rare to obtain so move quickly. Owner financing is available. PRICE REDUCED: $663,390 MLS I 2381; 2,000 SO. FT. EUILDING with shop, office arid retail space. Sits on busy 14 acre comer of Hwy. 19 1. Use for your own business or lease out for added income. Call Sandy. PRICE: $239,900 MLS 42964: NORTH MAIN 13- - acres zoned just waiting for that developer with the BIG PICTURE in mind. Owner will sell part or with buyer. OVER 13 Mile of HWY Frontage. Owner financing available. C-- 4 PRICE: $3,500,000. Dave Bierschied Lenore Beeson -- - Sandy Norton - Mary Kelling Tyson Lesmeister 435-259-82- 435-259-94- 435-259-23- 435-259-46- 435-259-16- |