Alternatives to Glyphosate

Glyphosate use is being called into question by public opinion, environmental and legislative changes. Herbicide-free methods of weed control are available for those who want to move to glyphosate alternatives.

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in most herbicides, in products such as Roundup, one of the most widely used glyphosate-based weed killers. Used around the world to kill weeds and other unwanted vegetation, and as a non-selective chemical, glyphosate will kill most plants. Along with other ingredients, glyphosate-based herbicides prevent weeds from synthesizing proteins – a process that subsequently causes them to die.

Concerns surrounding the use of glyphosate have been circulating for a number of years, so it’s no surprise that more people are looking for alternatives. Councils and contractors are now looking for a safe and environmentally friendly alternative, and many countries have pledged to phase out the use of glyphosate altogether.

There are a number of other limitations to glyphosate, in addition to the concerns about glyphosate’s impact on human health. Glyphosate based products that are applied to rural or urban areas and are subsequently washed by the rain into groundwater, streams, rivers and coastal waters. Herbicide spray can be blown in high winds from treated areas onto field margins and wildlife habitats. Animals who come in direct contact with vegetation treated with glyphosate products can also have a wide range of adverse effects.

There are a number of different alternatives to consider when it comes to glyphosate-free weed control.

Manual weeding – manual (or hand) weeding can be used to control annual and perennial weeds, with its limitations being expense and availability of labour.

Burning – burning (or flame) weed control involves passing a flame over a weed, with the goal being not to burn up the plant but to destroy its tissue so the weed dies.

Hot water – The heat from the water collapses the plant’s cell structure, making the weeds easier to pull out of the ground.

Strimming – otherwise known as weed whacking, this is a traditional, manual form of pulling weeds out of the ground.

Foamstream – Using the combination of our patented foam and hot water, Foamstream is more labour and cost-effective than other alternatives. It can also be used in any weather, on any surface. Find out more about how Foamstream compares to other methods of weed control here.

Find out more about using Foamstream for weed control and urban cleaning.

If you’d like to learn more about Foamstream, get in touch with us today.