Ragwort - Identification, Treatment and Management
Invasive Weeds > | Giant Hogweed | Ragwort | Himalayan Balsam | Buddleia | Ivy Removal |
The Ragwort Control Act 2003 (which amends the Weeds Act 1959), imposes a duty of responsibility on landowners to effectively control Senecio jacobaea, preventing it from spreading to land where animals are grazing. Ragwort contains a poisonous alkaloid, which attacks the liver eventually causing death to the animal by cumulative build up over a period of time. The biggest risk is allowing ragwort to get into the hay production process.
Download the comprehensive Guide to Stopping the of Ragwort produced by Defra
The video below was produced by thepoisongarden.co.uk and further explains the dangers of Ragwort
Ragwort Facts
- Grows to around one metre
- Yellow daisy like clusters of flowers
- Poisonous to horses and grazing cattle
- Single plants can be dug out with ease
- Multiple infestation responds well to herbicide treatment
- The plant needs to be disposed off in a bio-secure manner
- Waste material can be burned on site
Ragwort is a poisonous weed, Senecio jacobaea being the most common. It is often seen flourishing on waste ground, railway embankments, hedge rows and horse paddocks.
It grows to about one metre in height and has clusters of daisy like flowers which grow between July and October - see the bottom of the page for photos. Control and treatment consist of either pulling or herbicide treatment.
How We Can Help
We have been dealing with Ragwort infestations for a number of years on behalf of property developers, local councils such as Camden and the residential sector. Pulling up and digging out is only practical with small numbers of plants. Larger infestations are dealt with by herbicidal spraying with one of a number of herbicides.
The method chosen depends on the sensitivity of the surrounding environment. Needless to say, treated areas need to be closed down for grazing for at least 4 weeks. Please note that we are qualified in the lawful application of herbicides and carry a license to remove hazardous waste - a legal requirement for removing invasive species in a bio secure manner.
Finally, although Ragwort can be a problem for horse and cattle owners, it is an extremely significant plant plant in terms of the number of insect, moths and butterflies that are dependent on it - many of which are rare. So if ragwort poses no danger to grazing animals, it should be left in place because of the huge conservation and habitat benefits it brings to wide life.
Give us a call for some free friendly help and advice.
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Many thanks to the fantastic photographers Gary Huston, Mikfoz and Dereck Ramsay, for kindly supplying the photos on this page.
