Giant hogweed

Giant Hogweed is an Asian plant that was brought to North America about a century ago and is now spreading throughout southern Ontario.

It can be hazardous to human health. Giant hogweed sap will make a person's skin extremely sensitive to sunlight. Contact with a plant, followed by exposure to the sun, can cause severe burning and blistering. If sap gets into your eyes, it can lead to blindness.

If any sap touches your skin:

• wash the affected area immediately with soap and water
• keep the affected area out of the sun
• see your doctor if you have a reaction

Giant hogweed on GRCA properties

Giant hogweed has been found on several GRCA properties near Belwood Lake, St. Jacobs, Kitchener, Guelph and Cambridge.

The GRCA has a program to eliminate giant hogweed from its property, but it is a persistent species that is difficult to remove. Options for removal include spraying a herbicide or digging it out. GRCA staff take strict safety precautions when dealing with hogweed.

 What to do if you spot giant hogweed

• If you spot giant hogweed on a GRCA property, such as conservation area or other signed property, please complete this online Giant Hogweed reporting form.
• If you spot it on your own property, private land, a municipal park or other areas such as along a riverbank or stream, contact your local municipal weed inspector.
  

  Watch out for lookalikes

  Giant hogweed is part of the carrot family and can sometimes be confused with other common plants such as cow parsnip and angelica. 

• Brant County: Weed inspector at 519-449-2451
• Dufferin:  Dufferin County Building Services - 519-941-2816 ext. 2700 or email building@dufferincounty.ca
• Guelph: Report an invasive species.  Contact Public Works at 519-837-5626 or email parks@guelph.ca
• Haldimand: Contact the bylaw enforcement staff at 905-318-5932
• Halton:  By-law enforcement officers and area weed inspectors.
• Hamilton: If you find giant hogweed, call 905-546-2489
• Oxford: Weed inspector at 519-539-9800, ext. 3132.
• Perth: Weed inspector Marvin Smith 519-291-2236.
• Region of Waterloo: In North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich townships contact the Region's Area Weed Inspectors at 519-575-4400. In Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo contact city hall.
• Wellington: Weed inspector Brad Carberry at 226-962-4007

More information

For more information on giant hogweed, please visit Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program