With its insane ability to self-seed and spread, the battle against spear grass is one Greater Victoria canB次元官网网址檛 win, says one area parks manager.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 so out of control that we donB次元官网网址檛 have the resources to manage it,B次元官网网址� Chris Hyde-Lay, Oak Bay parks manager, told the Oak Bay B次元官网网址. ThatB次元官网网址檚 true across the region, up Island and in the Okanagan where a variety of spear grass species present danger to both pets and rare plants.

B次元官网网址淭hey often show up in areas where people love to walk with their dogs or disturb sites,B次元官网网址� Hyde-Lay said. B次元官网网址淧eople and dogs help with its spread because they walk through this fields when itB次元官网网址檚 in seed, which is right now.B次元官网网址�

Spear grass is a generic term used to describe more than 60 types of the plant that produces sharp spears B次元官网网址� some the region struggles with include the native hordeum marinum, commonly called hare barley and invasives bromus rigidus (rip-gut brome) and bromus sterilis (barren brome).

The grasses grow a long, stiff, sometimes-barbed, projection at the top that disperses narrow grass seeds by snagging a moving object. If a snag goes undetected, the seed moves along the hair toward the skin and into the soft tissue.

B次元官网网址淧revention is key,B次元官网网址� Hyde-Lay said, suggesting pet owners to do daily checks and brush when they get home from a walk. B次元官网网址淚 wish that we could more. I hate to say that itB次元官网网址檚 here to stay, but itB次元官网网址檚 here to stay.B次元官网网址�

Saanich, among the municipalities helping its residents battle the scourge dangerous to dogs, reiterates similar messaging B次元官网网址� suggesting dog owners avoid long grass in general in late summer when grass seeds appear ripe.

B次元官网网址淪tick to the trails and walk with your pet on a leash. A good rule of thumb is, if you have grass seed in your socks after a walk your dog likely has seed on/in its coat,B次元官网网址� a fact sheet recommends. B次元官网网址淐heck your pet's paws, coat, and eyes regularly from July to October after walks and look for signs of lesions or infection. If you do notice a swelling or cyst-like lump on your pet's body, it is recommended that you consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.B次元官网网址�

A second reason to attempt control is because the grasses can spawn 500 seeds from a single plant and overtake fields where rare plants struggle to survive.

Saanich attempts to control invasive bromus in Garry oak restoration sites, maintaining designated trails as well as regular mowing and trimming schedules. Oak Bay makes similar moves to take seed heads off before maturation.

Without overwhelming resources, itB次元官网网址檚 impossible to stay on top of. However, dedicated volunteer groups can make a difference, Hyde-Lay said. A consistent, persistent, long-running group of volunteers in Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 park Anderson Hill Park has made a dent.

B次元官网网址淭he resources needed would be substantial to get any semblance of control,B次元官网网址� he said.