The Ministry of the Environment invites all people in whose land plants of the invasive hogweed species (mainly Heracleum sosnowskyi) are found, causing risk both to human health and the other species, to start fighting those right away. The beginning of spring is the best time for this purpose as the plants are small and fragile and it is easier to get rid of those. In summer when the plants will have grown up to three metre’s height and may cause cases of skin lesion and burns, fighting with those is much more difficult and less successful. According to Ms. Liina Eek-Piirsoo, Chief Specialist of the Nature Protection Department, cutting through of the roots is considered to be the most efficient method for getting rid of the hogweed. "It would be possible to get rid of the Heracleum sosnowskyi in four years if the main root of the plant would be cut through at least twice a year at some 10 cm below the soil surface. The other methods of mechanical damaging - mowing and picking umbels - are less efficient and would need more time (even up to eight years) for getting rid of the local hogweed population. Late mowing is of practically no use as the mowed plant will develop very low umbels already in two weeks and the plant will bear fruits anyway," said Ms. Eek-Piirsoo. The only thing to be done in the summer season would be the picking of umbels and destroying of those through burning, thus preventing further spreading of the species. The umbels should not be composted as the seeds might then preserve their viability and this would contribute to further spreading of the plant. By using herbicides, it should be possible to get rid of the plants in four to eight years. The chemicals should be used at least twice or three times during the vegetation period since new seedlings will come out of the soil quite shortly after the destroying of the plant’s upper parts. The Plant Production Inspectorate advises to use herbicides produced on the basis of glyphosate (having general damaging capacity). The environmentalists do not, however, advise the persons lacking relevant experience and knowledge, to use the poison at their own will. The poisons must not be used near the flowing water bodies nor in the karst areas. At fighting against the invasive hogweeds, water-proof protective clothing should be worn. The parts of the body that have touched the liquid of the Heracleum should immediately be washed with water and soap and the doctor should be consulted immediately - even if skin lesion cannot be noticed at once. Similarly to the acidic damage, change in skin condition may appear only after delay. The Ministry of the Environment has issued a folder with description of methods used against the Heracleum sosnowskyi - this publication can be obtained both at the Ministry of the Environment and the county environmental departments. As the problem concerns most of the country and can be solved neither by the land owners nor by ministries alone, the Ministry of the Environment will initiate the development of a state programme or action plan for this purpose within 2003. For additional information please contact: |
