Italian Arum Removal. - Ask Extension
Hello my name is Stacy and our backyard is being over ran with Italian arum. I need to get rid of it asap as I have kids and a pet. but I need a profe...
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Italian Arum Removal. #780609
Asked January 21, 2022, 11:28 PM EST
Hello my name is Stacy and our backyard is being over ran with Italian arum. I need to get rid of it asap as I have kids and a pet. but I need a professionals help. Can you please tell the type of abatement expert I would need for this task. Thank you and have a great day.
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Stacy,
As you learned from the brochure you attached to your inquiry, Italian Arum (Arum italicum) is a challenging weed to eradicate.
Unfortunately, eradication of Italian Arum -- even just slowing its spread -- won't occur asap.
Frankly, determined persistence must be your
friend.
While you are researching helpful resources, you can slow the spread if you remove, and discard, all flowering stems. (While doing so, wear protective garden gloves to avoid getting any plant sap on your skin.)
Likewise, definitely remove all stems that develop the showy red seed pods.
Bag all removed parts, then place them directly in the garbage.
Perhaps the greatest risk for your children are the arum's attractive, fiery red, seed pods. You didn't mention your children's ages but, even toddlers will avoid them, if a parent explains that the red pods aren't edible; besides that, they're icky!
Safety for a pet depends upon how inquisitive it might be. Again, it's likely that the red seed pods will be the most attractive parts. If it's possible, consider temporarily fencing off the infested area.
So, on behalf of the children and your pet, after bloom is underway, consider daily search-and-destroy treks through the yard to look for seed pods. In fact, you might recruit the children as "spotters" during the search but, of course, with the caution "do not touch."
Although Clackamas County lacks an agency dealing with noxious weeds, the county's Soil and Water Conservation District is likely to be the most helpful resource. Although the office is currently closed to the public, you can contact them via email sent from this page. Or phone<personal data hidden>, Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.
As you learned from the brochure you attached to your inquiry, Italian Arum (Arum italicum) is a challenging weed to eradicate.
Unfortunately, eradication of Italian Arum -- even just slowing its spread -- won't occur asap.
Frankly, determined persistence must be your
friend.
While you are researching helpful resources, you can slow the spread if you remove, and discard, all flowering stems. (While doing so, wear protective garden gloves to avoid getting any plant sap on your skin.)
Likewise, definitely remove all stems that develop the showy red seed pods.
Bag all removed parts, then place them directly in the garbage.
Perhaps the greatest risk for your children are the arum's attractive, fiery red, seed pods. You didn't mention your children's ages but, even toddlers will avoid them, if a parent explains that the red pods aren't edible; besides that, they're icky!
Safety for a pet depends upon how inquisitive it might be. Again, it's likely that the red seed pods will be the most attractive parts. If it's possible, consider temporarily fencing off the infested area.
So, on behalf of the children and your pet, after bloom is underway, consider daily search-and-destroy treks through the yard to look for seed pods. In fact, you might recruit the children as "spotters" during the search but, of course, with the caution "do not touch."
Although Clackamas County lacks an agency dealing with noxious weeds, the county's Soil and Water Conservation District is likely to be the most helpful resource. Although the office is currently closed to the public, you can contact them via email sent from this page. Or phone<personal data hidden>, Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.
