Your field guide to 5 nuisance plants

When it comes to commercial businesses, the reality is – what’s on the outside does matter. Whether it’s a new customer, an interviewee, or the CEO visiting your business, what they see as they walk up to your building will inevitably make a huge impact on how they view your brand. Many businesses spend extensive amounts of time and money tending to their building’s interior, unaware of the influence that exterior landscaping can have on visitors. 

Not only can unattractive, overgrown vegetation tarnish your business’s reputation, certain plants also pose serious health and safety risks, overtake native vegetation, and offer harborage to pests. The vegetation management experts at Rentokil have created a field guide to highlight five nuisance plants that are a danger to have around your property. Read on to find out what they are and how our team can help remove this unwanted vegetation from your property.

Poison Ivy

Found in the eastern and central United States, this three-leafed weed can cause minor to severe skin irritation and lung irritation when burned from the plant oil found inside leaves, stems, and roots of the plant. The plant’s leaves turn bright red in autumn and in late summer, it produces grayish, white berries. Poison ivy spreads quickly and can be a health risk for anyone who comes in contact with it. 

Japanese Knotweed

Common in the northeast states, stretching west to California and south to the Mid-Atlantic, this invasive plant was first introduced from Asia as an ornamental plant and can be found in various landscapes including along roadsides, river edges, and stream banks. Its rapid growth rate can overtake native vegetation by releasing chemicals to suppress the growth of surrounding plants. 

Ragweed

This plant can grow up to 3 feet tall and can be found in abundance across the eastern and central United States along roadsides, agricultural fields, meadows, and remote industrial areas. Its pollen, which is shed excessively during the summertime, is a significant contributor to seasonal allergies and is especially concerning for people who suffer from hay fever.

Johnson Grass

Originally used to feed livestock, this fast-growing grass has naturalized through the Southern United States and as far north as Michigan. Considered an invasive species in some states due to its dense growth and ability to overtake native vegetation, Johnson grass can be found along field edges, roadsides, and meadows.

Pokeweed

Found along roadsides, agricultural field edges, fallow fields, and residential areas throughout the U.S., pokeweed is highly poisonous to people and animals. With mature plants reaching a height of 10 feet tall, this plant’s dark purple berries will stain light-colored clothing and have even been used for dyes. While birds love to feed on these berries, they are not safe for human consumption and can cause digestive discomfort if eaten.

Rentokil’s Vegetation Management services

Rentokil has a team of experts that are able to provide tailored solutions that control these nuisance plants anywhere on your property. Whether it’s perimeters, parking lots, storage areas, fence lines, railroad spurs, fuel storage or other areas, we can help. 

Our professional specialists are state-certified for commercial herbicide applications and receive ongoing training. We use only tested, proven materials that are non-flammable, non-corrosive, and low in toxicity. By removing these bothersome plants from your property you can reduce your overall labor and equipment needs with a budgeted program and protect your property and people during the growing season.

Contact us today to get more information about our Vegetation Management Services.