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Organic weedkiller?
lavenderlass
Posts: 89
Hi, Can anyone tell me if there is an organic weedkiller? I have a bird feeder which is stood in gravel and the seeds sprout faster than I can weed them out. I use the organic slug pellets but have been unable to find any weedkiller in the garden centres. I don't want to harm the birds by using ordinary weedkiller but neither do I want the grass growing between the gravel, so I would very much appreciate any help.
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Posts
Hi Lavenderlass,
You could also try a weed control flame gun. I find this really useful in controlling weeds in gravel. Very quick and easy to use.
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
And you could start to get the high energy no mess bird seed. Doesn't sprout.
I was going to suggest the same as hogweed. I buy the no mess seed all the time and the birds can throw it around as much as they please.
The other thing to remember is that organic doesn't necessarily mean harmless or wildlife friendly.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Many thanks to everyone your replies were very helpful. Will look for the high energy no mess bird seed but must admit I thought organic would be a safe option if there was such a thing. Again many thanks.
The chance of properly applied glyphosate harming the birds is probably zero, but I would be leery of weedkillers like 'Pathclear' which would probably be more useful in preventing new weeds appearing (they are residual weedkillers). Simplest approach would be putting the feeder on some slabs, or on the lawn.
Unfortunately I don't have a lawn. I decided to get rid of it while I was working (perhaps not the best of ideas) but can't face replacing the gravel now, but I do try not to use weedkillers if I can get away with it. Bird seed grass seems to have a rapid germination, faster then the birds can eat it.
I tried the high energy no mess seed: it still produced a wonderful germination rate under the feeders. I used the flame thrower approach for weed control when simply getting down there and pulling them up wont suffice.
The latest reports on glyphosphate are pointing towards it being a cause of cancers. Personally I steer clear of all weed killers, buy no mess seed ...there are various brands out there and am sure you could find an organic source. Under the bird feeder was one of the few areas I didn't have weeds and still don't. I do have two wild ducks that have taken up residence under the feeder and clear any fallen seed at the rate of knots. Maybe you could consider getting a couple