Dangerous hogweed spotted in Waterloo, city officials say

Giant hogweed has been spotted in the City of Waterloo, and that's bad news for a number of reasons.

Hogweed is dangerous to both pets and humans. Its watery sap contains toxins that can cause skin irritation and worsenunder UV rays, according to theOntario Invasive Plant Council.

Painful blisters emerge within 48 hours of exposure and can lead to lasting, purplish scars.

Hogweed is also an invasive species, whichcrowds out native plants and reduces overall biodiversity, according to the city.

Fighting back

On Friday, the city said giant hogweed has been found in numerous places throughout the city.

Some areas, including Bechtel Park, have a recurring issue with hogweed because there are a large number of seeds already in the soil.

Getting rid of hogweed is an uphill battlebecause the plants produce an average of 10,000 seeds each, and the seeds remain viable for a long time.

For years, new plants can pop up in places where the soil already contains seeds, the city said.

To stop the spread of hogweed, residents are encouraged to stay on official trails which are monitored for hogweed by city staff and avoid naturalized areas.

If you come across giant hogweed on official trails, you can contact city staff by calling 519-886-2310 or by e-mailingenvironment@waterloo.ca, who will come and remove it.