How to kill weeds that grown on runners: bindweed, creeping charlie..

Ellen B
by Ellen B
How to kill weeds that grow underground on runners like creeping charlie, bindweed, etc.
  10 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 24, 2016
    Unfortunately there really is no way to attack these weeds unless you do not mind using weed killers in which there are not to many people on this site that is in agreement with. You can they the vinegar and water approach,however because the weeds have very large roots it probably would not work. You also need to keep in mind if there are any other shrubs,flowers etc. around you cannot use anything. I suggest possibly trying to smother them out with heavy black plastic.
  • Jan Goodin Jan Goodin on Mar 25, 2016
    You might try soaking the root area with white vinegar on a sunny day. Leave until you see dying results. Good luck.
  • Barbara Barbara on Mar 25, 2016
    1 cup of salt, 1 gallon white venegar and dawn just enough to make it tinged blue Spray on and really soak w hen it is dry and it will kill them, but it takes time and you might have to do it more than once. The problem is that it could kill plants if it is growing among your plants that you want to thrive. If that doesn't work you you will have to dig them up and that is hard.
  • Leslie Leslie on Mar 25, 2016
    Creeping Charlie is very difficult to get rid of. I used a borax solution since I have a vegetable and butterfly garden. There are several articles on the web but many caveats on using borax also. Too strong a solution and you'll kill your other plants. Also be aware that if in your lawn when you mow any little pieces of it will re-root and spread throughout. It's a long haul this way also--at least the full season. Good luck.
  • Pull it up if it is in your beds. BE careful with white vingar & table salt! it can make your soil sterile and kill off other plants, beneficial microbes, and bugs. To be effective the vinegar needs to be 30% such as what canners use. In all reality for tough weeds vinegar usually only kills the foliage and not the roots. Boiling water- that is 100% effective. Whatever method you choose there are downsides and you have to really be careful what you use. Pulling weeds or smothering them with black plastic are 2 natural choices but in a lawn I admit to using spray with a garden hose weed n feed. Sometimes you just have to compromise
  • Huntress Huntress on Mar 25, 2016
    The true wHen to kill totally without changing soil or killing others with the tainted water runoff is solar. Get a roll of clear plastic..must be clear cover the area and let sit. The lack of water, and the increased heat thru clear plastic kills above n below. Leave on for some time, if invasive I cover for summer if necessary. Then til area well trying to remove all dead stuff.
  • Francesca Francesca on Mar 25, 2016
    I had a hideous problem with bamboo. I used a directional foam spray ( Google foam spray weed/ grass killer). The "secret" to success is that you cut back and within 20 seconds, no longer, of doing that you spray directly onto the cut piece where it will then get absorbed through the root system. It does take time because other bits will pop up later but if you keep doing this it should work. We are now bamboo free, with no damage to surrounding plants.
  • Jli33735164 Jli33735164 on Jul 04, 2018

    Cut them to about half an inch from ground. With a brush, dab the cut ends with brush and stump killer. You can do one and several along the root system will die because they are connected. I do this and they don't come back! It is amazing and the only way I have found to kill them without harming any nearby plants. It really works!!!

  • Ellen B Ellen B on Jul 08, 2018

    Wow thank you so much. I will definitely try it!