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Ragweed control: Take action now for a healthy Pointe-Claire!

As the end of summer draws near, join us in our efforts to control an important issue in our community: ragweed. This ordinary-looking plant is responsible for many cases of allergy among our citizens every year. By identifying and removing ragweed from your property, you’re helping to improve our environment and our collective health.

Why is ragweed control essential?

From late July to September, ragweed flowers disperse pollen that causes coughing, sneezing and irritated eyes in sensitive people. It is responsible for around 75% of pollen allergies in Quebec. By reducing its presence, we’re not only helping to improve air quality, but also reducing allergy cases in our community.

How to identify this allergenic plant?

Ragweed is easy to recognize once you know what it looks like. It can grow up to one metre tall, with alternating serrated leaves and clusters of small green flowers.

To help you identify it, consult the ragweed photos (text in French only) available on the website of the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux.

How can you eliminate ragweed from your environment?

The most effective way to control ragweed is to pull it out by hand before it flowers, taking care to remove the roots to prevent it reappearing. For your comfort, you can wear gloves, but this is not mandatory, as it is not considered a skin irritant.

Reminder: In Pointe-Claire, the use of pesticides on lawns and gardens is generally prohibited because of the risk of soil and water contamination and the danger to human health. To apply pesticides under specific conditions, a temporary permit is required. You must obtain a permit for each application, and may be penalized for non-compliance.

Every action counts in our fight against ragweed. By keeping your outdoor spaces clean and responding quickly when you spot this plant, you are contributing directly to the health of our community.

Together, we can make a difference!