Invasive plants to be searched for in the municipality

On 29 and 30 June, six employees of the Werkdienst in Baar will search for alien plants in private gardens, roof terraces and flat roofs throughout the municipality.

They often look beautiful, but they are a danger to the native plant world, to the health of humans and animals, and can cause great damage in agriculture. Alien, invasive plants (so-called neophytes) often spread undetected and unhindered – with serious consequences.

According to the media release of the municipality of Baar, the Public Services department (Werkdienst) of the municipality of Baar has been fighting neophytes for many years, and has been removing invasive plants along roads and in the wild. But plants such as the annual fleabane (Einjährige Berufkraut), the goldenrod (Goldrute) or the narrow-leaved old or crosswort (Greiskraut, Kreuzkraut) also feel just fine in many private gardens, on roof terraces or flat roofs.

These and other invasive plants such as the upright grapeweed (Aufrechte Traubenkraut / Ragbrosia), the giant hogweed (Riesenbärenklau), the staghorn sumac (Essigbaum) or the Himalayan balsam (drüsiges Springkraut) will now be intensively combated over two days.

The goldenrod is an invasive plant.         Photo: PD

On Wednesday and Thursday, 29 and 30 June, six employees of the Public Services department (Werkdienst) will be on the road throughout the municipality to track down the neophytes. They will also enter private property and search for the dangerous plants. "We ask for your understanding that the Public Services department will also enter private property," says municipal councillor (Gemeinderat) Zari Dzaferi in the statement.

Tear out with root and dispose of in household waste
If the Werkdienst employees find what they are looking for on a private property, they will seek contact with the residents or the property owners. It is important that neophytes are torn out together with the root and are disposed of in normal household waste.

If they end up in the compost in the garden or in the green waste, they can spread further. "Only together can we contain the spread of neophytes," says Zari Dzaferi.

Consultation at the Samschtig-Märt
Property or garden owners who are unsure whether a plant is an invasive species can contact the municipality's Public Services department at any time and ask for advice (phone 041 767 33 66). The Werkdienst will also be present with a stand at the Samschtig-Märt (Saturday market) on 2 July. From 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., on the square in front of the Rathus-Schüür, employees will provide information about neophytes and show what has been discovered on the two control days on 29 and 30 June.