We were quite the local attraction as we emerged from the Village Hall in full PPE, looking like the ghostbusters. For our training and assessment we were spraying water rather than pesticide, but I can see why locals looked concerned as we practiced our spraying around the carpark and grass (as one onlooker commented, we were “cleaning the grass”).
Following 2 days of training we had a thorough assessment on our ability to spray pesticides safely, involving an online and practical test, and lots of on-the-spot questions. Fortunately we all passed – Hurrah! A big thanks to our trainer and assessors for their help over those few days!
While part of me hates the idea of having to use pesticides, I know that this is currently the only viable option in terms of controlling giant hogweed in the area. This plant not only poses a threat to human health, but also to the environment, as it is able to outcompete all other plants and will completely take over the habitat.
I am hoping that over the next few months us interns can make a significant dent in the giant hogweed growing in the Loch Lomond catchment. If you see us out and about spraying, please don’t laugh at us too much for how silly we look!
