Wild parsnip is targeted for destruction.
A plant that can cause painful skin burns is being targeted along Mississauga’s Etobicoke Creek Trail as the city works to control the spread of an invasive species.
The City of Mississauga will begin a targeted herbicide application on Wednesday, Aug. 5, to treat wild parsnip, an invasive plant that can pose a health risk to people who come into contact with its sap.
The treatment has raised the usual concerns that come with herbicide use in public spaces, but the city says the application will be highly targeted, with crews applying the product directly to the invasive plants while taking steps to limit impacts on surrounding vegetation.
Mississauga Ward 3 Councillor Chris Fonseca alerted residents about the upcoming work, which will take place along the Etobicoke Creek Trail.
Contractors working for the city, Brinkman & Associates Reforestation Ltd., will apply VisionMax (glyphosate) using handheld and backpack sprayers, allowing workers to treat individual plants rather than broadly spraying the area.
Wild parsnip is not native to Ontario and can quickly spread in sunny areas such as trails, roadsides, shorelines and forest clearings. Once established, dense patches can crowd out native plants and disrupt natural ecosystems.
The plant also creates concerns for people using trails and parks.
Wild parsnip contains sap that can cause a severe skin reaction when exposed to sunlight. Contact can lead to painful burns, and exposure to the eyes can cause serious injury, including blindness.
The city advises anyone who suspects contact with wild parsnip sap to wash the area with soap and water, cover it for 48 hours and watch for a reaction.
To address the herbicide concerns, the city says notification signs will be posted at all access points to the treatment area at least 24 hours before the work begins and will remain in place for at least 48 hours after the application.
The work is expected to be completed by the end of the week, although the schedule could change depending on weather conditions.
The Etobicoke Creek Trail extends through both Mississauga and Toronto, meaning the treatment area is used by residents from both municipalities.
The herbicide application is part of Mississauga’s broader Invasive Species Management Program, which aims to protect natural areas from plants that can damage local ecosystems.
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