Safe to use shears on poison hemlock then around edible vegetation? - Ask Extension
I used some shears today to cut down what I later determined to be poison hemlock. I hosed them down - can I use them now around my edible plants? The...
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Safe to use shears on poison hemlock then around edible vegetation? #872887
Asked June 12, 2024, 10:00 PM EDT
I used some shears today to cut down what I later determined to be poison hemlock. I hosed them down - can I use them now around my edible plants? There are some weeds growing nearby that I'd like to cut, but I'm not sure if I should use the same shears.
Cook County Illinois
Expert Response
Michael:
Hosing off the shears will remove most of the poison hemlock alkyloid toxins, but washing with soapy water and rinsing with clear water would be even better.
Cutting down tall poison hemlock will not kill it, there will be regrowth from the root stock and it will try to bloom and set seed. Pulling up plants, digging up the plants or using herbicides are the only effective ways to eliminate this plant. If poison hemlock has gone to seed in this area in the past, it may take several years to rid the area of this pest.
Hosing off the shears will remove most of the poison hemlock alkyloid toxins, but washing with soapy water and rinsing with clear water would be even better.
Cutting down tall poison hemlock will not kill it, there will be regrowth from the root stock and it will try to bloom and set seed. Pulling up plants, digging up the plants or using herbicides are the only effective ways to eliminate this plant. If poison hemlock has gone to seed in this area in the past, it may take several years to rid the area of this pest.
