Erodium cicutarium (common stork's-bill) is native to a wide swath of Eurasia, North Africa, and select parts of the Arabian Peninsula, spanning temperate, and sometimes tropical regions. Its presence extends to the cooler climates of Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Beyond its native range, common stork's-bill has been introduced to parts of the Americas, East Asia, and South Africa. In several regions, such as the Caucasus, Mexico, and New Zealand, common stork's-bill is sometimes thought to be aggressive and may have an impact on local ecosystems where it can establish itself effectively. The plant's exact impact on these ecosystems remains a subject of study.

Common stork's-bill has spread across much of the world. It has a small value to humans, and is foraged by wildlife and livestock. However, it can become noxious in agricultural or other contexts as it tolerates a variety of conditions, germinates early, quickly develops a deep taproot, depletes water, and shades native seedlings. Common stork's-bill may be encouraged by grazing, but herbicides can provide an effective means of control. Alternatively, common stork's-bill is intolerant to shade, so encouraging a dense competitive species that grows earlier in the season can be effective.

The best season for removal of common stork's-bill is spring when the plants are young. It's best to remove these weeds before they start to flower and set seed to prevent further spreading. Steps for organic removal methods are: