This summer, NSRBC staff engaged with producers and First Nations communities to help fight the spread of leafy spurge. The combat method chosen to battle this invasive weed species was the leafy spurge beetles. These beetles originate from Europe, like leafy spurge. Leafy spurge beetles are arguably the most effective and cost-friendly method at combatting leafy spurge currently. These beetles only eat leafy spurge, so they are not a risk of becoming invasive themselves.

Our staff collected beetles at two locations this year. One site near the Besant campgrounds by Moose Jaw and the other on Sweetgrass pastures by North Battleford. Numerous clients were able to obtain beetles. Beardy’s and Okemasis have a serious leafy spurge problem throughout most of their community and pastures, negatively impacting the quality of the landscape. The hope is to get a successful introduction of these beetles. That way they can sweep for the established beetles in future years and move them to other patches of leafy spurge nearby.

Collecting these beetles is done by using large nets to “sweep” for them through patches of spurge where they have been established in years prior. The downside of sweeping through spurge is the risk of becoming carriers of the invasive weeds, with seeds getting stuck on shoes, equipment or vehicles. Our vehicles were kept well clear of the spurge and any equipment used is cleaned after collection. We eliminated this risk by using disposable canvas slip-on footwear or “booties”. They not only repel seeds and debris, they are also easily stored and safely disposed of once out of the patches of spurge.