Ragwort

Pasture, wastelands, riverbeds, open forest, swamps, coastal areas.

Seeds dispersed by wind.

Forms dense stands and may alter invertebrate abundances. Toxic to livestock and can reduce pasture production. Can cause skin irritation and allergies.

Site Management

Consider avoiding spraying ragwort to allow the ragwort flea beetle to establish and control the ragwort population. If you do spray the safest time to control ragwort is the winter months as the larvae are pupating. However, be aware that the less food available the less beetles will survive for the following season.

Recommended approaches

Physical control

Method: Dig or grub out

Plant parts requiring disposal: Seeds

Disposal options: Remove to greenwaste or landfill

Biocontrol

Check for presence of agents:
Ragwort flea beetle (Longitarsus jacobaeae)
Ragwort crown-boring moth (Cochylis atricapitana)
Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae)

Community agrichemical control recommendations

No qualifications
Foliar spray rosettes or mature plants with 1g metsulfuron-methyl per 10L of water. This will not kill the ragwort flea beetle.

Certified Handler/Experienced agrichemical user
Other herbicides are available for use in pasture but these will severely disrupt the population of biocontrol insects

Safety notes

Poisonous to livestock.
Can cause skin irritation and allergies.

CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.