Noxious Weed Control

Maryland Weed Control Law requires landowners to eradicate or control noxious weeds on all types of land. Control methods include mowing, cultivating, or treating with an approved herbicide. 

Noxious Weeds in Maryland

Prohibited noxious weeds are annual, biennial, or perennial plants that the Secretary of Agriculture has designated as having adverse or threatening affects to agricultural producti​on throughout the State. There are currently eight plant species under the Noxious Weed Regulations that have been designated as noxious weeds in Maryland. Maryland law requires that these weeds not be allowed to produce seed. Noxious weeds in Maryland include: ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Bull thistle, Cirsium vulgare, designated in 1984 
• Canada thistle, Circium arvense, designated in 1984
• Johnsongrass, Sorghum halepense, designated in 1969
• Musk/knodding thistle, Carduus nutans, designated in 1984
• Palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri, designated in 2020
• Plumeless thistle, Carduus acanthoides, designated in 1984
• Shattercane, Sorghum bicolor, designated in 1987
• Tall waterhemp​, Amaranthus tuberculatus, A. rudis, designated in 2020

What the Weed Control Program Does

The MDA Weed Control Program:

• Surveys public and private lands for noxious weeds.
• Enforces the Maryland Weed Control Law. 
• Assists farmers or landowners in the battle against designated noxious weeds.
• Enters into an agreement with participating counties to provide: 
  • Technical assistance to county weed control coordinators and landowners.
  • Facilitate targeted herbicide spraying along State Highway Administration right-of-way.  

For county weed control coordinator information, please contact your region's agricultural inspector noted below. 

Resources

• Maryland Noxious Weed ID Brochure - PDF - 2.68 MB
• ​​University of Maryland Extension Offices

Identification, Information, or Reporting

For assistance with weed identification, information on your County's Weed Control Program, or to report noxious weeds on public or private land, please contact your region's Agricultural Inspector listed below: 

• Upper Shore (Cecil, Harford, Kent, and Queen Anne's) or Other Inquiries:
  • Jim Calao, Program Administrator 
  • Phone Number: 410-562-3054
  • Email: [email protected]
• Central / Western Maryland (Allegany, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, and Washington):
  • Susi Ponce, Administrative Officer II
  • Phone Number: 443-591-6970
  • Email: [email protected]
• Lower Eastern Shore (Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester):
  • Victoria Spice, Agricultural Inspector
  • Phone Number: 667-500-3450
  • Email: [email protected]
• Southern Maryland (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's, and St. Mary's):
  • Andrew Bowles, Agricultural Inspector
  • Phone Number: 667-500-3451
  • Email: [email protected]

All calls will be handled confidentially.​