SPECIALIST RAGWEED CONTROL SERVICES

OUR SPECIALIST CONTROL SERVICES WILL TREAT OR ERADICATE THIS SPECIES. TO FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE RAGWEED USE OUR FREE ID TOOL OR BOOK A SURVEY

treatment & removal

We often get asked how hard is it to remove Ragweed?

Ragweed (also known as common ragweed, annual ragweed or low ragweed) originates from North America, and since its introduction can now be found on British roadsides, fields, cultivated ground and other disturbed sites caused by construction or development. It can be controlled or removed by biological, mechanical and herbicide controls, but early detection and accurate identification is essential.

To find out the best way to remove Ragweed and the best time of year to have treatment or removal carried out get in touch.

WHY IS RAGWEED A PROBLEM?

Ragweed has many invasive properties, not only does it cause damage to agriculture, it can impede work on construction and development sites. It also poses a significant human health risk being a major cause of hay fever in late summer and autumn, and untreated or improperly treated ragweed allergies can turn into asthma. The high levels of pollen it produces is means that even touching the plant itself can cause itchiness and eye irritations.

Reports suggest that its spread is also likely to be aided in the future by the effects of climate change, in particular the rising temperature and the increase in CO₂ in the atmosphere, which is also the main cause of climate change.

Each plant produces billions of pollen grains per season from up to 6,000 seeds, causing hayfever misery for more people up until October.

ABOUT RAGWEED

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ambrosia artemisiifolia
ORIGIN: North America

Ragweed is an upright medium to tall growing plant that has fern-like green leaves that are almost feathery and no smell. Its stems are branched and angled, often woody. Its flowers are yellow and long, like streamers.

Used by Native Americans as an herbal medicine, both externally and internally, ragweed pollen is now harvested commercially for use in pharmaceuticals designed to treat hay fever.

• 120–140 cm tall
• Simple structured leaves up to 10mm
• Leaves are hairy underneath
• Disc shaped greenish flowers

HABITAT

Ragweed is most common on open or agricultural land though it also thrives on non-cultivated fields and along railways and highways as well as on construction sites, where soil disturbance occurs regularly.

IMPACT: MEDIUM

Ragweed is a highly invasive plant. The seeds are dispersed by wind up to a few meters or it may spread by birds eating the seeds. Spreading by water has great importance, as rapid dispersal can occur due to flooding. Its harmful effect on fields has been registered since 1863.

TOXICITY: ZERO

Whilst ragweed can cause prolonged periods of allergic reaction in the form of hayfever, it presents no physical danger to either humans or animals.