In 2018, Metro Vancouver committed to use the best means to fight invasive flora and fauna species in the region.

As a new staff report to the regional government indicates, non-native plants and animals “out-compete native species and can be highly destructive and difficult to control”.

“They can threaten property and recreational values, infrastructure, agriculture, public health and safety, as well as ecological health,” senior planner Laurie Bates-Frymel wrote.

Metro Vancouver has since caused the production of guides to control several invasive species.

These species include knotweed, giant hogweed, European fire ant, European chafer beetle, Himalayan blackberry, Scotch broom, English holly, English and Irish ivies, yellow archangel, Himalayan balsam, parrot’s feather, purple loosestrife, reed canarygrass, wild chervil, yellow flag iris, hedge bindweed, and American bullfrog.

Bates-Frymel’s report, which is included in the June 10 agenda of the climate action committee, presents guides for three additional species.

These are garlic mustard, poison hemlock, and spurge laurel.

Here are portions of Bates-Frymel’s report about the three species.

Garlic Mustard

"Garlic mustard is listed as a noxious weed under the Weed Control Act so it must be controlled. This plant is a concern in natural areas because it produces a toxin that prevents the growth of native plants nearby and causes butterfly eggs laid on garlic mustard leaves to die before hatching.

Garlic mustard control should focus on both rosettes (first-year plants) and flowering plants (second year or older). Rosettes should be removed by digging and extracting as much of the root as possible, whereas older plants should be hand pulled or cut several times during the April to June flowering season. Eradication of garlic mustard infestations can take many years."

Poison Hemlock

"As the name suggests, poison hemlock plants are poisonous. Although poisoning of humans, pets and livestock by ingestion is most common, toxicity can also result from inhalation and skin contact. Even dead plants can remain toxic for up to three years. If left uncontrolled in agricultural settings, poison hemlock can crowd out desirable forage species or the plant’s toxicity may render infested crops unsellable.

Protective gear (rubber gloves, goggles or a face shield, a suit, boots and possibly a respirator) should be used, as this plant is extremely toxic. Young plants may be pulled from the soil when moist. Mature plant removals should include extraction of the tap root. To eliminate the safety hazard, all material should be moved offsite and disposed of appropriately."

Spurge Laurel

"Also commonly referred to as ‘daphne’, spurge laurel is highly toxic to both humans and animals. Poisoning can occur through skin contact, breathing in sap droplets, and ingesting any part of the plant. As few as 2-3 berries can fatally poison a child. Spurge laurel can spread quickly and compete with native plants in woodland ecosystems.

Protective gear (gloves, goggles or a face shield, long sleeved shirt and pants or waterproof suit, and possibly a respirator) should be used, as contact with the plant or vapours can cause skin and respiratory irritation. Older spurge laurel plants should be cut below the root collar, whereas younger plants can be pulled / dug out from the soil or the top spiral of leaves can be cut. All plant material should be double bagged and taken to a landfill for deep burial."

The regional government works with the Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver to control invasive species.

For more information, here’s Metro Vancouver’s webpage dedicated to the subject of invasive species.