Weeds Can Kill – What To Look For

By: Stacey Kaisers.kaiser@krdo.comFollow me on Twitter at staceykaiser@twitter.com

PALMER LAKE – Something in your own lawn could hurt or even kill you. They are called noxious weeds. “A noxious weed is invasive, it can take over in a short amount of time,” said El Paso County Environment Manager Kathy Andrew.

That is why a weed tour was hosted at Palmer Lake; to show people what they look like and how to deal with them. Noxious weeds are not native to Colorado. Seeds can come from other states by construction vehicles, people and birds, and can spread anywhere. “If you’ve seen any of the thistles in your yard, just leaves with thistles, many of these could be noxious weeds, certainly residential areas, but pasture lands and grazing lands,” said Andrew.

It can be difficult to tell the difference between noxious and native weeds, but one you do not want to forget is the Poison Hemlock. “The story goes, the philosopher Socrates was actually convicted of a crime and the way hewas put to death was himbeing forced to take some of the Poison Hemlock juice,” said Andrew. She says that is definitely one weed to keep away from children, pets, livestock and gardens.

There are 71 different noxious weeds in Colorado. For more information on how to distinguish noxious weeds, click here.