Weeds

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Himalayan balsam

Garlic mustard

Creeping bellflower

Japanese Knotweed

Purple loosestrife

The City of Edmonton is asking Edmontonians to help stop the spread of invasive weeds. Learn how to Spot, Report and Remove invasive weeds from your property and in urban natural areas.

Identify Weeds

Spot It

Learn how to identify the weeds regulated in the Alberta Weed Control Act.

Report Weed Sightings

Report It

Learn how to report invasive weeds using Edmonton 311.

Remove Weeds

Remove It

Learn how to remove invasive weeds.

Not All Flowers Are Friendly

The City of Edmonton wants to prevent the spread of invasive weeds on public and private property. Gardeners must know what they are planting! Invasive weeds are native to somewhere outside Alberta and can cause health, economic or environmental harm. These weeds can:

Grow and spread quickly, invading entire ecosystems and damaging crops
Reduce native biodiversity by outcompeting native plants
Alter waterflow by infesting streams, riverbanks and waterways
Contain toxins that can limit the growth of other plants, or cause harm if eaten

Stop the Spread of Weeds

To avoid spreading weeds, park users should:

Wear clothing, boots and gear that do not retain soil or plant material. Avoid brushed cotton, netting, Velcro and knits.
Carry and use a boot brush.
Before leaving the park, clean your shoes and bike gears of all mud and plant material.
Check your dog for seeds, plant parts and soil before leaving the park. Use a grooming brush to remove any plant material before getting into your vehicle. Check your dog’s paw pads, between their toes and in their ears and nose for any seeds. If seeds are lodged in their nose or eyes, see your vet.

Identify Regulated Weeds

Find information about the weeds regulated in Alberta and how to identify them.

Weeds on Private Property

What you can do to control invasive weeds on your property.

Invasive Weed Enforcement

Bylaw enforcement of noxious and prohibited weeds on private property and the review process.

Newsletter Sign Up

Interesting information about weeds, bugs and other pests, as well as how you can get involved in stopping their spread!

Pesticide Notifications

Pesticide maps detailing where crews plan treatments for Mosquitoes, Tree Insects and Weeds.

View Maps

Frequently Asked Questions

What are invasive weeds?

An invasive weed is a plant that comes from a different place of origin other than Alberta. However, not every introduced plant becomes invasive. Characteristics of plants considered invasive are:

They out-compete native plants for resources
They lack predators and pathogens in the areas to which they were introduced
They grow and spread quickly, produce abundant seeds and can form a dense stand of single species (a monoculture)
They infest streams, riverbanks and waterways as well as terrestrial ecosystems
They reduce biodiversity and disrupt the balance of local ecosystems

Why are invasive weeds so pretty?

A lot of invasive plants were introduced to Canada as ornamental garden plants because they are beautiful. Sometimes introduced ornamental plants escape from gardens and farms (seeds, creeping roots, movement of infested soil or plant pieces) into natural areas, where they become invasive.

What are regulated/noxious weeds?

The Alberta Weed Control Regulation defines a list of regulated weeds that need to be controlled or eradicated by property owners. There are 46 prohibited noxious weeds that should be destroyed when found, and 29 noxious weeds that should be controlled and prevented from spreading. The term “noxious weeds” is sometimes used by the media and the public to refer to all the regulated weeds.

What is the City doing to control regulated weeds?

Adhering to the Integrated Pest Management Policy C501A, the City of Edmonton will prioritise preventative methods of pest management and will support long-term management of pests, such as weeds, using a combination of techniques including mechanical and physical treatments, biological control, habitat manipulation and judicious application of pesticides.

Does the City use herbicides?

The City of Edmonton has a Herbicide Ban Motion in place to eliminate non-essential use of herbicides on city-owned land. However, there are exemptions that allow for their use. Herbicides are used to:

Ensure City infrastructure is safe and well-maintained. This includes use on sewer pipes, storm water facilities, concrete surfaces and along LRT routes.
Maintain cemeteries, bowling greens, premier sports fields, as well as parkland used in high-profile events.
Manage regulated weeds listed in the Alberta Weed Control Regulation.

What is the City doing about dandelions?

In 2015, City Council approved the Herbicide Ban Motion to ban cosmetic use of herbicides. Dandelions are not regulated weeds in Alberta and as such, mowing is the current best practice for maintaining these. The frequency of mowing will vary depending on land use and service level, please visit Parkland Care for more information.

Why do I need to control weeds on my property?

Bylaw 14600 (Community Standards Bylaw) states that land owners should not have “unkempt grass or weeds higher than 10 centimetres”. This is why residents should control weeds in general.

Both private and public property owners are regulated by the Alberta Weed Control Act, which defines a list of regulated weeds that need to be controlled or eradicated by property owners. If you need help with identifying weeds, use the Weed Identification lookup tool or the online service (information only) or download the Edmonton 311 app.

How should I dispose of weeds in my black and green waste carts?

For regulated/noxious weeds like Creeping Bellflower, pull these plants from the root and put them in the black garbage cart. Never place noxious weeds in your green food scraps cart or home compost. Mixing noxious weeds with your other yard waste risks spreading viable plant parts.

For yard and garden trimmings that do not contain regulated/noxious weeds, place them in the green food scraps cart or yard waste bags for seasonal pickup.

How can I get help if I don’t know what plants I have?

For help identifying weeds, use the Weed Identification lookup tool or the online service (information only) or download the Edmonton 311 app.

Please note that a weed identification request is not used to make complaints. It will not prompt actions from bylaw officers or operational teams.

How can I make a complaint about weeds?

You can call 311 or submit a complaint online or on the Edmonton 311 app.
During the growing season, there are two service requests that can be submitted online and on the Edmonton 311 app including “Noxious weeds - private property” and “Noxious weeds - public property”. Please note that these requests are intended for regulated weeds only.

How do I get rid of Creeping Bellflower?

Creeping Bellflower is listed as a noxious weed in the Alberta Weed Control Act and property owners are required to control its spread. To do this, remove the plant and dig out as much of the root as possible.

The sooner new growth is removed, the less energy can be stored in the roots of the plants. Over time, you will starve out the roots. If you can not get the whole population out, make sure to remove flowers before they produce seeds to stop seeds from going into the soil.

Contact Us

Weed Identification

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Online	311 Weed Identification Request

Telephone

In Edmonton: 311

Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Online

311 Weed Identification Request

Email	invasiveweeds@edmonton.ca

Weed Enforcement

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Telephone

In Edmonton: 311

Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Fax	780-496-6054