Combat giant hogweed

Herbaceous perennial control is a lengthy and labor-intensive process. For this reason, control outside your own garden/field should be carried out at district and municipal/city level together with experts.

The following control options are available:

• Digging up the plants in April or May when growth is just starting. If the roots are cut at a depth of 15 cm, new growth is hardly possible. However, success must be monitored.
• During the flowering period from June onwards, the flower spikes must first be cut off before the rest of the plant is removed (beware of plant sap splashes). The seeds must be prevented from falling off, as they will continue to ripen.
• If cones are still hanging on the plant from the previous year, they must be removed with particular care if they still contain seeds. The cones should be burnt on the spot if possible.
• Mowing the plants is suitable for larger contiguous areas. This is best started shortly before flowering. This is when the plant is weakened the most. However, mowing must be repeated approx. 5-6 times at intervals of 10 days, as the Hercules perennial will produce flowers again just 14 days after mowing, sometimes at a height of less than 10 cm. Only this frequent repetition promises success.
• Individual new seedlings can be removed with a hoe.
• It is best to dispose of the plant/plant parts in the household waste - so that they are destroyed in an incineration plant.

Permanent removal of Herculean perennial grass also includes multi-year follow-up checks in May/June, as the seeds may still be in the soil and only germinate years later. Dense turf prevents the seeds lying on the ground from germinating.

In cases without nature conservation relevance (e.g. locations near kindergartens, cycle paths, sunbathing lawns in outdoor swimming pools), you should inform the local public order office.

To help with containment, report plant locations via the Internet reporting site "ArtenFinder Service Portal Rheinland-Pfalz". In addition, you can report the location to the lower nature conservation authority in your district or, in independent cities, to the city administration.

• Internet reporting page ArtenFinder Service-Portal Rheinland-Pfalz

As the landowner and land user, you are responsible.

The Struktur- und Genehmigungsdirektionen Nord und Süd (SGD Nord and SGD Süd) are responsible for certain nature conservation measures.

The following measures must be observed when combating Hercules' bush in order to prevent damage to health:

• Protective clothing is essential (long pants, thick sweater, safety goggles, face protection and, above all, gloves).
• If possible, remove plants at dusk or when it is very cloudy.
• Face and hands should also be protected with a sun cream with a high sun protection factor.

• § Section 40 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG)
• Federal Soil Protection Act (BBodSchG)

All parts of the Hercules plant contain a dangerous substance, furanocoumarin, which gets onto the skin on contact with the plant sap. When exposed to sunlight, furanocoumarin forms an antigen together with the body's own protein, which leads to a severe allergic reaction.

Blisters form on the skin that resemble a severe burn and a discoloration that can last for months. Vapors can also affect health and cause nausea, for example. Even dried stems, flowers and seeds still contain the dangerous furanocoumarin. The tricky thing is that there is no visible reaction immediately after contact. The greatest danger from sunlight occurs half an hour to 2 hours after skin contact.

The lower nature conservation authorities can provide you with supportive advice.

23.07.2024

What should you do if you come into contact with Herculean perennial?

If you have touched the Hercules perennial or suspect that you have done so, you should avoid the sun immediately. The affected areas should be washed thoroughly with soap and water, even if no reaction is visible. It is advisable to apply sunscreen afterwards. The sun should also be avoided for the next two to three days.