Forget about nettles and thorny bushes, you need to pay attention to larger plants.
Contact with Giant Hogweed can cause severe blisters, burns, lasting scarring, and even blindness.
Giant hogweed has been called the most dangerous plant in the UK. Photo credit: Getty It can grow up to 14 feet tall with leaves up to 5 feet wide. Photo credit: iStock – Getty
It is a large, invasive plant that can grow up to 14 feet tall with large, deeply lobed leaves that can reach up to 5 feet wide.
Distinctive with its umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers, giant hogweed is commonly found along riverbanks, roadsides and wastelands.
It thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soils, but can be particularly problematic in areas where the soil has been disturbed.
“Its dense foliage prevents light from reaching the soil below, suffocating native plants and leading to rapid soil erosion,” says Keith Gallacher, director of Complete Weed Control.
Experts warn that this year's mild, wet weather will allow the hogweed to flourish earlier than usual, causing record damage.
Dubbed the UK's “most dangerous” plant, it has toxic sap that can cause extremely painful burns and blisters within 48 hours on contact.
These burns can result in victims being hospitalized and/or left with permanent scars.
The sap of the giant hogweed contains furanocoumarins, which can cause severe skin reactions when exposed to sunlight.
It is this sap that can cause blindness.
Chemicals in the sap react with the sun's ultraviolet rays, causing a phototoxic reaction that leads to severe inflammation and damage to the cornea and other tissues in the eye.
Experts warn against Giant Hogweed plan as UK risks losing battle against poisonous pest
The reaction is similar to the skin reaction that occurs when tree sap is exposed to sunlight and can cause chemical burns and blisters on the cornea.
In severe cases, the cornea may be scarred, resulting in partial or total loss of vision.
In some cases, if not treated promptly and properly, the damage can be permanent.
According to a Yahoo report, this year's early emergence of hogweed could be due to rains in the spring of 2024. Rainfall in March is expected to increase by 27%.
This invasive species is not native to the UK.
The Woodland Trust explains that the plant was first introduced as an ornamental in the 19th century, but escaped and became wild-type.
Giant hogweed often grows along rivers and streams where the seeds are easily carried by water.
If it is spotted in a public place it should be reported to your local authority or the Environment Agency to help prevent it spreading.
Tips to keep pests out of your garden
Plant companion plants such as peppermint to keep mice away. Install a garden net pest barrier over your flower beds. Fill open-top containers with beer and place them in the soil to keep slugs away. Spray plants with neem oil to keep ants, flies and spiders away. Dust flower beds with diatomaceous earth. Mix 1 tablespoon dish soap, 10 drops peppermint oil and 4 cups water and spray your flower beds. Place egg shells around your plants to protect them from slugs and snails.
