Mares Tail

[tom2207]

I think theres a specific weed killer for it , leaves other stuff alone , but its very very expensive , 70 quid a litre springs into my memory ,,, makes diesel look cheap at that price.

 

[brightspark]

Further to my post about WD 40 and Mares Tail,it seems to have worked, the green shoots have gone brown and died. Don`t know about the roots though!

wishful thinking no they wont have they will be back i did some with salt and vinegar and soapy water it dropped them over nite bu soon came back

 

[Seadog]

its a massive underground network that sends shoots to the surface

Which is why you need something that's absorbed into the root. I will say this only once (more), ammonium sulphamate.

 

[steveo3002]

Which is why you need something that's absorbed into the root. I will say this only once (more), ammonium sulphamate.

been using this 3 years and so far only seems to kill the ends...sure the end is dead within 48hrs , but 2 new tails will pop up in its place...imo doesnt kill the roots

 

[Seadog]

The plant absorbs it as a nutrient and it is stored in the root. However, whilst it chemically resembles food, there is a significant molecular difference that prevents the plant "feeding" on it, so it starves, and the root with it.

 

[Greeves246]

The new RHS garden at Manchester had an area badly infested with Horsetail and they dug it out a metre deep and refilled with fresh soil. I'm sure if there had been another way they would have done it.
PS If Roofman is reading this, does he kow who Carol Klein is related to?

 

[bricol]

been using this 3 years and so far only seems to kill the ends...sure the end is dead within 48hrs , but 2 new tails will pop up in its place...imo doesnt kill the roots

Google it - the root system is massive. It takes time to knock it back - and you still won't kill it all, as it's under your neighbours too. I've gone from infected to only having the odd visible outcrop - but it took a few years of attention and crawling round snapping stems, and shoving a solution of ammonium sulphamate down them. Spraying it, with or without washing up liquid, wiped out everything else around, including a tree, but not much mares tail - hence the crawling, clad in safty glasses and gloves, with a plastic syringe . . .

 

[Tim W]

ammonium sulphamate - the best weedkiller. BUT.... just be aware it is now illegal to use as a weedkiller, only for compost accelerator.. and has been for some years -
https://www.allotment-garden.org/garden-diary/1989/ammonium-sulphamate-weed-killer-banned/

if you do use it on marestail, add a few drops of washing soap ti the mix - it helps cut through the waxy surface and more gets into the plant.

if you have the need to stay legal... this stuff works - Kurtail, available from Progreen. it does need applying a couple of times a year but it cleared my allotment in 1 season.

Kurtail Evo Horsetail Killer

Kurtail Evo is currently out of stock, but a fresh batch is due in the week commencing 7th July 2025. Pre-order now to secure yours for dispatch next week. Alternatively, if you would like something sooner for horsetail control, we would recommend our SBK Brushwood Killer and KPlus+ bundle...

www.progreen.co.uk

 

[8ob]

You can keep bombing these weeds with chemical and will eventually win the battle, knocking them back and starving them of light under a heavy tarp will also do the job as will constantly mowing them off. Whichever way its a long haul.

Bob

 

[Seadog]

it helps cut through the waxy surface

Not exactly, it allows the solution to wet the surface rather than balling up, so creates a larger area of contact.

 

[steveo3002]

i wonder if im using it too strong....if the tail dies next day then is the poison still traveling to the roots

maybe a weaker mixture letting it live a few more days would take more to the roots

 

[daleyd]

Has anyone got a link to a supplier of ammonium sulphamate or is it a case of just looking it up on eBay and taking a punt on one that looks ok? I’m never sure of buying unmarked bags of powder off the interweb.

 

[steveo3002]

plenty on ebay

 

[Prajna]

Or you could just harvest it and sell it to people who make herbal smoking mixture. It contains a small amount of nicotine, especially when it grows in contaminated soil, which it remediates.

 

[cr500dom]

It’s one of the oldest plants on the planet and is silica based not carbon, which is why most weed killers won’t touch it.
There is a specific killer for it but I can’t remember what it was (long time since I did weed control professionally)
Even back then it was scary expensive.
Paraquat will make a big impact on it but it kills everything (and although being illegal for commercial operators to use, you could still buy it for domestic use as pathclear)
It’s a bugger to get rid of, control is about the best you can hope for in most cases, especially if your neighbours are not on it as well.
Good luck

 

[Seadog]

It can be used as an abrasive for cleaning cooking pots and pans.

 

[daleyd]

It can be used as an abrasive for cleaning cooking pots and pans.

If anyone wants to scrub their pots and pans I have enough on my front drive to service a large restaurant kitchen…