Brockton is warning residents about Hogweed.
Director of Recreation Dan Wilken says the toxic weed is growing rampant along the Saugeen River.
Wilken says it’s getting to the point where it is becoming unmanageable.
He says staff can not spray along the river, and there are just too many to individually dig out.
Municipal staff are now focusing their efforts on eradicating the hogweed on trails, parks and open spaces where the public may come into contact with the weed.
Wilken advises the public to treat hogweed like poison ivy — avoid it completely.
The sap from this noxious weed can cause a skin reaction known as photo-dermatitis or photo-sensitivity.
After coming into contact with the sap, the skin blisters when exposed to sunlight.
In some severe cases the sap can even cause blindness.
Hogweed can grow up to two metres in height, it flowers in late summer and has a two year life cycle and is commonly found along the riverbanks.
Wilken calls it frustrating that neither the province nor Bruce County have declared the toxic weed noxious.
