What is Ragweed And Why Does It Cause So Much Trouble?

Ragweed. Just the name alone makes some people start to sneeze and their eyes water. Of all the weeds in North America, ragweed is considered the absolute worst when it comes to allergies. Here's what we know about this noxious weed and how to fight back against its effects on the air you breathe.

 

What Exactly Is Ragweed?

 

Ragweed is seemingly everywhere. There are actually many kinds of ragweed, but they all belong to the plant genus Ambrosia, which itself is in the Aster family. As the name suggests, the leaves of the plant have a ragged edge. The word "ragweed" is used to describe 17 separate species of plants commonly found in North America. It grows easily just about anywhere, even in places where the soil conditions are bad. Empty lot? Side of the road? Gutter filled with years of leaves? Ragweed doesn't care. It can grow up to several feet tall and spreads aggressively wherever it can root.

 

How Does Ragweed Get To So Many Places?

Ragweed is prolific in its ability to spread. A single ragweed plant can spread roughly 1,000,000,000 pollen grains in a season. So not only does each plant send out countless grains of pollen, they can be carried hundreds of miles by the wind. Seeds can be spread a number of ways, but they are often carried along by vehicles traveling the roads. The side of the road is an ideal place for ragweed to grow as it is rarely mowed or subject to weed control. Farming also spreads ragweed as equipment moves from field to field.

 

What Makes Ragweed So Bad For Allergies?

Ragweed is responsible for around half of the hay fever cases in the United States each year. The pollen contains a certain protein compound that is extremely effective at causing an allergic reaction. It can also trigger asthma attacks for some people. Common ragweed and great ragweed are the biggest contributors to allergies. 

 

When Is Ragweed Season?

Ragweed season usually starts in mid-summer when the plants begin to flower. Unfortunately the season can stretch out for months until the first frost hits. And since the pollen produced is so numerous and can travel so far, just because ragweed isn't blooming in your area doesn't mean the pollen isn't affecting you. 

 

Ragweed Pollen Allergy Symptoms

For those unlucky enough to suffer from ragweed allergies, the following symptoms may appear:

• Coughing
• Headache
• Hives
• Itchy eyes
• Itchy throat
• Runny nose
• Skin rash
• Sneezing
• Stuffy nose
• Tired
  
  

How Do You Get Rid Of Ragweed In Your Yard?

Given how hard it can be to get rid of ragweed, it makes sense that it is in the genus Ambrosia. Ambrosia happens to be a Greek word meaning an immortal food or drink of the Gods. While ragweed isn't really immortal, it can seem like it when trying to get rid of it safely. Unfortunately the most common way to kill ragweed is herbicide. But there are other methods that don't involve chemicals like repeated mowing and weeding by hand.

 

How Do You Fight Ragweed Pollen In Your House?

Considering just how far ragweed pollen can travel on the winds, the only place you can control it is inside your home. Here are a few tips on fighting back against ragweed pollen:

• Seal your home. Take a few minutes to make sure there are no gaps in windows or door frames. Resist the temptation to open windows during ragweed season, even if the weather is nice outside.
  
  
• Leave shoes at the door. Remove your shoes before walking inside if possible. This keeps from tracking ragweed pollen into your home and onto the floors.
  
  
• Change clothes. It may seem silly, but taking a shower and changing clothes helps remove any pollen that may have hitchhiked indoors with you.
  
  
• Keep floors clean. Mop and/or vacuum regularly to remove any ragweed pollen that might have made its way inside.
  
  
• Use an air purifier. Your home HVAC system has a filter, but it isn't meant to keep the system clean, not your lungs. Even if you put a higher MERV rated filter in your HVAC system, you may have issues with air distribution due to the increased effort needed to pull air through it. That's why a purpose-built air purifier is necessary to remove fine particles like pollen.