Biological weed killers are a gentle alternative to chemical preparations. In order to effectively control weeds on paths or between paving stones, you must also use biological alternatives properly. We'll show you how.
In a nutshell
- Well suited for weeding small areas
- you can use boiling water to fight weeds on paths at low cost
- Thermal devices such as a weed burner reduce weeds over a long period of time
- only a few biological weed killers on the market
- You can prevent weeds with joint sand or weed fleece
weeding
The gentlest way to get the weeds out of the pavement is to weed them continuously. This is a cost-effective and quick option, even for smaller areas.
Manual weed "plucking" is still the most environmentally friendly way to get rid of unwanted plants.
In order to get the weeds out between the joints, you need the following tools:
- joint scraper
- grout brush
- weeder
Use the weed rake to get weeds with long roots, such as dandelions, out from between the joints. With a joint scraper, you can get firmly rooted joints free again. As an alternative to the joint scraper, you can also use a sow tooth, as used for vegetable beds, for wider joints. With the joint brush, you can then easily brush away smaller plants or weeds that have just emerged.
Tip: If you scrape out joints, fill them in with sand right away. This will prevent weed seeds from falling onto nutrient-rich soil.
water
high pressure cleaner
Biological weed killers are available in every household in the form of water. You can use this in different ways, you can use heated water for smaller areas. If you have to clean long paths or large paved areas, the high-pressure cleaner is the better choice. The high-pressure cleaner has the advantage that you not only get smaller weeds out of the joints, but also clean the surface at the same time.
Caution! The use of the high-pressure cleaner is not recommended for all surface materials.
Tip: When using the pressure washer, always start at the walls of the house and work your way away from the wall. This reduces the risk of walls getting dirty.
Hot water
Boiling water is also a very good biological weed killer. It even eliminates stubborn weeds and can also prevent seeds that have already collected in the joints. The boiling water is also suitable for areas that are difficult to clean, such as gravel areas.
The advantage of boiling water is that you can use it to specifically target problem areas. After pouring the hot water over it, you just need to collect the dead weeds some time later.
heat
flaming device
A sustainable method to get the pavement clean are thermal devices. Weed burners burn away unwanted weeds with almost no residue. You can borrow the devices for a fee from hardware stores, for example. The advantage is that weed seeds are also destroyed by the heat. However, the use of flame guns requires some practice, because you must not hold them in one spot for too long, otherwise you will damage the cobblestones.
Flame flame devices should only be used when the weather permits, after all you are working with an open fire.
infrared heater
Biological weed killers are in vogue, which also shows that new technologies are being used again and again. The alternative to the flame burner is infrared radiation. They work in a similar way to flame burners, but are much safer.
Advantages at a glance:
- No open fire
- Microorganisms are spared
- Can also be used under trees and shrubs
commercial preparations
Biological weed killers are rarely found commercially because their effectiveness is similar to mechanical methods, but the costs are much higher. When selecting products, you should always make sure that the product is current. Many biological weed killers have been withdrawn over time because their approval was not renewed. Occasionally there are still old stocks in warehouses that are still offered. However, its use is often no longer permitted.
| COMPO Bio weed killer Herbistop AF | Natures Organic Weed Free |
|---|---|
| - for monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds - Only suitable for paths and ornamental plants - Duration of action up to eight weeks - works within two to three hours - Can also be used on algae and moss - Available as a ready mix in a spray bottle | - based on acetic acid - for monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds - use diluted against moss in the lawn - Suitable for shrubs and trees - unsuitable for non-woody plants - Available as a ready-to-use spray bottle mix |
Notice: Biological weed killers for paths and pavements work better when applied during dry periods. As a result, it stays concentrated and has a significantly longer effect against emerging seeds.
prevent weeds
Instead of continuously fighting the weeds, which is laborious and sometimes expensive, it is more sustainable to prevent weeds from emerging between the pavement and on paths.
You can easily “sweep up” joint sand with a broom.
Depending on the type of area, different methods are available:
- Mulching (grit, gravel, bark mulch)
- weed fleece
- Polymer joint sand
frequently asked Questions
Are vinegar and salt allowed as weed killers?No, in 2012 the Plant Protection Act was renewed and this method of weed control is prohibited on sealed surfaces, including paths. Vinegar and salt water cannot seep into sealed surfaces and therefore end up in the sewage system.
How often do biological weed killers from the trade have to be used?That depends on the weed pressure. Regularly cleaning the areas after using a weed killer reduces the risk of seeds re-germinating quickly.
Do I always need a spray bottle for remedies from the trade?Some preparations are already mixed in a spray bottle. However, if you need larger quantities, buying an additional pressure sprayer for weed control is advantageous, as large quantities are cheaper.
Are commercially available biological weed killers really safe?Biological remedies are often based on concentrated or imitated natural products. In both cases, the substances are biodegradable and therefore do not contaminate soil or water.