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. 

• Blandford-Blenheim: Public Works Dept at 519-63-5347 or via email: jborton@blandfordblenheim.ca
• Brantford: Contact Park Services at 519-759-4150
• County of Brant: Contact the County directly at 519-442-7268 or Report a problem-County of Brant
• Cambridge: Contact 519-623-1340 or via email: servicecambridge@cambridge.ca
• Dufferin County: Public Works at 519-941-2816 ext. 2600 or via email: publicworks@dufferincounty.ca
• Guelph: Contact Public Works Department at 519-837-5626 or via email: parks@guelph.ca
• Haldimand: Contact Bylaw Staff at 905-318-5932 or via email: bylaw@haldimandcounty.ca
• Halton: Contact the county directly at 905-873-2601
• Hamilton: Contact the city directly at 905-546-2489
• Kitchener: Contact the city directly at 519-741-2345
• Oxford County: Contact local Weed inspector at 519-539-9800, ext. 3132.
• Perth County: Contact local Weed inspector Marvin Smith at 519-291-2236.
• City of Waterloo: Contact the city directly at 519-886-2310 or via email: environment@waterloo.ca 
• Region of Waterloo: In North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich townships contact the Region's Area Weed Inspectors at 519-575-4400.
• Wellington County: Contact Weed inspector Adam Buitendyk at 519.837.2600 ext. 2960

More information

For more information on Giant Hogweed, please visit Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program- Giant Hogweed.

To report a sighting please visit the Invading Species Reporting Form or contact the Invading Species Hotline directly at 1-800-563-7711