No mercy for ragweed! Here’s how to identify it to better eliminate it

One in five Quebecers is affected by seasonal rhinitis, mainly caused by an allergic reaction to ragweed pollen. Despite numerous eradication campaigns, ragweed remains as abundant as ever in our province, particularly along roadsides where it finds a prime habitat.

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This phenomenon is largely caused by activities related to snow removal. The passage of snow removal equipment combined with the spreading of de-icing salt destroys the majority of plants growing along roadsides. The least resistant plants are then replaced by plants that appreciate compact and saline soils, such as ragweed. Thus, the edges of streets and certain highways are veritable ragweed nurseries! The most distressing thing is to see that this unwanted weed grows near certain hospitals and many schools, without anyone really being aware of it…

Sneeze!

It is estimated that approximately 20% of the Quebec population is affected each year by seasonal rhinitis. As a result, approximately 1.7 million people suffer from respiratory allergies caused primarily by ragweed pollen, and this number appears to be steadily increasing.

From the end of July to the end of September, the male flowers of ragweed produce enormous quantities of very light pollen that the wind can carry several tens of kilometers away. This pollen comes into contact with the mucous membrane of the nose of humans who breathe it. Sensitive people then react with violent sneezing, and suffer from nasal congestion, itchy eyes and watery eyes.

Identify and eradicate ragweed

Ragweed is a little-known plant that few people know how to correctly identify. It is often confused with poison ivy. But, unlike the latter, know that it is not dangerous to handle ragweed with bare hands. Very variable in height – some plants are as little as 20 cm high while others exceed 1 meter – this annual plant has very finely cut, soft green leaves, resembling those of ferns. Its greenish-yellow flowers appear during the second half of summer and are gathered at the top of the stems in what resemble spikes.

Although we can sometimes find it in lawns and flowerbeds in our gardens, ragweed has a clear preference for poor and disturbed soils, such as those on roadsides, around cornfields and in vacant land. The best way to eliminate this plant is still to pull it out. It must be extracted from the ground with a weeder before the beginning of August. However, we can continue to eliminate it as long as it flowers.