Giant hogweed is currently an
issue tha
at the Corpo
oration of the
Township
p of Tay is addressing. In
the last few years
s, the foreig
gn
plants ha
ave been ob
bserved with
hin
the comm
munity. For that reason, it
is importtant that Tay
y residents be
educated
d in order to
o prevent any
health ris
sks that may
y arise.
Under tthe Pesticid
des Act an
nd
Ontario Regulation 63/09,
6
passed
by the M
in
Ministry of Environment
E
2009, more than nin
nety pesticides
have be
een banned for cosmetic
purposes
s. With this in mind, the
Township
p is no longe
er permitted to
spray inffected areas. Pesticides are
a
to be us
sed only forr public heallth
and saffety reason
ns, and are
a
legalized to be sprrayed only by
licensed
extermin
nators.
The
Township
p of Tay is currently
c
doing
their bes
st to maintaiin all accoun
nts
of hogwe
eed found on
n our trails and
in our pa
arks through
h the baggin
ng,
cutting and removal of
o seed pods
s.
Please re
eport location
ns of hogwee
ed
to the attentio
on of the
Publlic Works Department:
705-534-7248
8 x230.
For more
e informatio
on on
giant
g
hogwe
eed, please refer to
the following websiites:
GIA
ANT HO
OGWEED
D:
EDUC
CATION AND
D AWARENES
SS
Ontario
O
Ministry of Agriiculture,
nd Rural Affa
airs
Food an
http://www
h
w.omafra.go
ov.on.ca
Agricultur
re and Agri--Food
Canada
C
http://w
www.agr.gc
c.ca/
Onta
ario Weeds
htttp://www
w.ontarioweeds.com
THE CORPORATI
ION OF
THE TOWNSHIP OF TAY
DESCRIPT
TION
HEALTH RISKS
Giant hog
gweed is gen
nerally biennial
or peren
nnial. The plants flow
wer
once in
n a lifetim
me and on
nly
reproduc
ce by seed. They
T
have the
ability to grow fro
om 1 to 5.5
5
meters ttall, with leaves up to 1
meter in width.
The stem
ms and pe
etioles conta
ain
noticeablle reddish--purple spo
ots
near the
e base. The
e lower ste
em
displays rough, sharply pointed
sporadic bumps.
The plan
nt often flowers in large
clusters from June to August. The
flower petals are no
ormally whitte,
and rarelly portray a pinkish
p
colou
ur.
Be awarre, as this plant is often
confused
d with cow parsnip,
p
which
does not pose the same heallth
hazards.
The fo
oreign plantt is poisonous.
Hogweed’s hollow s
stem and lea
aves
produce a sap wh
hen broken that
can cause a seriou
us inflammattion.
When exposed to
o sunlight, the
contam
minated skin will blis
ster,
suffer d
discolouratio
on and may even
e
produce scars over the infected
sites.
Contac
ct with the eyes can ca
ause
loss of vision and b
blindness.
HABITA
AT
Hogweed
d originates from Europe
and Asia and was firrst observed in
Ontario a couple of
o years ag
go.
Since
tthen,
the
number
of
sightings
s have increa
ased annually.
The toxic
c plant is ofte
en found along
roadsides
s, stream ba
anks and oth
her
disturbed
d open areas
s.
TREATM
MENT
After c
contact, avo
oid sunlight and
wash th
he area imm
mediately.
If a skin reaction
n appears, seek
s
medica
al attention.
PREVEN
NTION
When in close pro
oximity of giant
g
hogwee
ed, wear lon
ng shirts, pants
s in
and bo
oots. If pos
ssible, dress
gular
synthettic materia
als as reg
fabrics will absorb tthe harmful sap.
proof
Wear goggles a
and waterp
gloves when interracting with the
plant. A
Afterwards, be sure to wash
w
all clothing and tools that may
have c
come in co
ontact with the
ction
plant to
o provide the
e best protec
againstt giant hogweed.