Common Plant Pests
Noxious weeds
Characteristics
Noxious weeds are non-native plants that have reached Washington by escaping from gardens, "hitching a ride" with straw or hay, or on tires, hiking boots, clothing ,etc. They grow aggressively, lack natural enemies and resist control methods.
Noxious weeds and other invasive species threaten all of our natural resources. They destroy native plant and animal habitat, damage recreational areas, clog waterways, lower land values and even poison humans and livestock. Noxious weeds are also a leading contributing cause of species endangerment.