Weeding is a routine part of maintaining a New Jersey lawn – whether we want it to be or not! It seems like no matter how much time we spend uprooting troublesome plants, they always seem to come back stronger than ever. Most of these plants are just annoying and unsightly – but not all of them. Some weeds can be an actual health hazard and need to be removed as soon as possible – and one can even be deadly. You can find Poison Hemlock in New Jersey yards, and this poisonous plant has a long and dark history over the centuries. It can also be removed safely – but only with the proper precautions. If you’re finding this troublesome plant in your yard, here’s everything you need to know to remove it and get your yard back to what you want it to be.

Weeding is a challenging task, but most of the time it just involves pulling dandelions - and seeing them replaced with five more dandelions!
David Philippi/Wikipedia
That's not the case when you see these delicate little white flowers growing in the yard, though. That's a telltale sign of poison hemlock - a highly dangerous plant.
Djtanng/Wlkipedia
This is what the seed heads look like in late summer. It's a biannual flower, which means you can expect to see the trademark flowers the following year.
Totnesmartin/Wikipedia

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Hemlock contains poisonous alkaloids, and is highly toxic to mammals. As little as six to eight hemlock leaves can be fatal to an adult human.
Jacques-Louis David/Wikipedia
Most famously, a Hemlock cocktail was used to carry out the death sentence of the famous Greek philosopher Socrates.
While the biggest threat from Hemlock comes from consuming it, inhalation or even skin contact can cause poisoning - so wear gloves and a mask while working to remove it.
Twistedpictures1/Wikipedia
It's not the only dangerous plant you might find in New Jersey yards - the slightly similar-looking but far larger Giant Hogweed contains a toxic sap that can cause chemical burns and extreme skin sensitivity. It's classified as a noxious weed and should be removed with professional help.
Appaloosa/Wikipedia

Have you seen Poison Hemlock in New Jersey yards? Tell us about your experience dealing with it in the comments section. It’s not the only pest you’ll need to keep an eye out for in New Jersey during the warmer months, so make sure you’ve got the proper protective gear before working in your garden.

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