Every spring, the Township contracts the County of Leeds & Grenville to spray our ditches for noxious weeds – particularly wild parsnip and now hogweed. While wild parsnip has been in the area for a while now, hogweed has recently been spotted in the Township and surrounding areas.
Wild parsnip & hogweed have a chemical that causes phytophotodermatitis (inflammation [itis] of the skin [derm] induced by a plant [phyto] with the help of sunlight [photo]). The skin feels like it has been scalded. It reddens and then a day or two later after sun exposure it blisters. More sensitive areas like the face, neck, arms, torso and legs are most vulnerable. The blister then ruptures, and the skin begins to heal. The discolouration of the skin where the burn occurred however can last for as long as two years.
For more information on wild parsnip & hogweed, how to identify them, roadside spraying and the MSDS for the spray being used please follow the links below:
Herbicide Material Safety Data Sheet
Public Health Ontario ClearView Herbicide Report
If you spot wild parsnip/hogweed on your property or have questions or concerns, please contact the County’s Noxious & Nuisance Weed Control Office at 613-342-3840 ext. 2425.
If you spot wild parsnip/hogweed on Township property/ditches we want to hear from you. Please call 613-925-4231 ext. 301.