Prevention is the attempt to keep weed species out of a specific area and should be the first consideration for effective, long-term weed control. To prevent weed introduction to non-infested areas, it is important to:

• Control noxious weeds along roads and railways.
• Keep all agricultural lands and waste areas as free of weeds as possible.
• Keep equipment and vehicles clean to prevent the transport of weed fragments or seeds.
• Use only certified seed or purchase weed-free hay, alfalfa or other feed.
• Purchase only topsoil that is clean of noxious weed seeds or fragments.