Ragweed (herbe à poux)

• Annual plant killed by fall frosts.
• The leaves are toothed similar to carrot leaves; they are uniform green on both sides and have 3 distinct lobes.
• Plant with stem and opposite leaves, but the leaves at the top of the stem alternate.
• When ragweed is in bloom, the flowers are greenish yellow, grouped in ears at the top of the stem.
• The plant is 10 cm to 1.5 m tall.
• The plant grows in poor soil.
• The allergenic element is the pollen, which causes hay fever.

• Only allergic individuals experience symptoms.
• Allergic rhinitis (repetitive sneezing, nasal congestion, abundant clear nasal discharge, itchy nose, palate and ears).
• Conjunctivitis (red eyes, tearing, itchy eyes, swollen eyelids).
• Allergic asthma (cough, breathlessness, wheezing).

• Uproot the seedlings manually or mow them before flowering (mowing at the end of July and during the third week of August).
• Use mulch to prevent the weed from sprouting.
• Improve the soil quality (topsoil, fertilizer).
• Sow or plant other plants to compete with ragweed.
• Contact the municipality if you identify ragweed in a field or by a roadside, etc.

Poison ivy (herbe à la puce)

• Perennial plant, which can appear in various forms: bushy, creeping or climbing.
• Shiny foliage, wine red in spring, dark green in summer and multicoloured in fall
• Alternating leaves arranged in three folioles.
• The central petiole is longer than the other two.
• The edge of the leaves can be smooth or relatively jagged.
• Its height ranges from 20 cm to nearly 1 m.
• Contains a poisonous sap which causes inflammation of the skin, even in winter.

• Everyone can react to poison ivy.
• Painful red skin inflammation.
• Strong itching.
• Formation of blisters on the affected parts.
• To have an allergic reaction, the person must have been in contact with the poisonous sap.

• Wearing gloves is necessary at all times when handling the plant and it is very important to avoid any contact with the skin.
• It is possible to destroy the seedling by uprooting it and tilling the soil to eliminate the roots. Repeat the operation as needed.
• Pick up the dead seedlings and place them in garbage bags or bury them very deep in the soil.