City warning residents of foxtail in Lethbridge parks and river valley

“These can become extremely dangerous to dogs and other animals as they can get lodged in the skin, mouth, nose, and eyes. If a dog digests these barbed seed heads, they can cause serious illness or even death.”

You can protect your pet by:

Avoiding areas where Foxtail and other weeds are growing
If you must go in these areas, keep your dog on a leash at all times
Trim the hair between your dog’s toes, around ears and their belly
Check their coat for Foxtail and brush your dog after being outdoors
Use a netted muzzle

The city gave an explanation on how to control Foxtail, explaining that it is not a plant that is designated by legislation as noxious weed and therefore, weed notices are not issues specifically for it.

However, they do most often grow in areas where noxious weeds are found. Complaints of Foxtail are typically addressed as a non-targeted plant where noxious weeds are found.

There are several ways to address the grass, including:

Picking/Tilling – Foxtail has short fibrous roots and can be effectively picked or tilled.
Mowing – Mowing should be done before the seeds set – usually May-June. After seeds have developed, mowing, bagging, and disposing of seeds heads would be required.
Herbicides – spraying Foxtail with herbicide is also an effective treatment. Consult with your local garden centre for more information and recommendations.

For more information on foxtail, go to lethbridge.ca/foxtail.

by Connor Gunn

City warning residents of foxtail in Lethbridge parks and river valley

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