{"id":1298,"date":"2026-05-16T10:24:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T07:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/?p=1298"},"modified":"2026-05-16T10:24:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T07:24:15","slug":"weeding-with-electricity-we-put-15-of-the-internets-favourite-weeding-hacks-on-trial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/?p=1298","title":{"rendered":"Weeding with ELECTRICITY? We put 15 of the internet’s favourite weeding ‘hacks’ on trial"},"content":{"rendered":"

For every unwanted weed popping up in your borders, there\u2019s an online hack claiming to eradicate them forever. We took a look at some of the most popular ideas, to find the ones worth trying, as well as the ones that should be weeded out for good.<\/p>\n

1: DIY zappers made from car batteries (lead image)<\/h3>\n

How it works: <\/strong>Some inventive TikTok farmers have connected tractor batteries to create electric weed \u201czappers\u201d that burn weeds as they touch them.<\/p>\n

The big problem:<\/strong> While it makes for impressive content, this method only scorches the leaves and doesn\u2019t reach the roots. There\u2019s also a real risk of fire\u00a0\u2013\u00a0and of invalidating your car insurance.<\/p>\n

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\"Using<\/p>\n

2: Hot oil\/cooking oil<\/h3>\n

How it works: <\/strong>After deep-frying your chips, keep the used oil to pour or spray onto weeds in the garden, which then struggle to respire and so they die \u2013 that’s the theory.<\/p>\n

The big problem: <\/strong>There\u2019s a good reason you don\u2019t add oil or fat to compost \u2013 it attracts vermin. It also leaves residue in the soil, blocks nearby plants from taking up nutrients and water, and harms soil microbes. Plus, if you used this on paving, you\u2019d make your driveway ridiculously slippery.<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/p>\n

3: Sugary fizzy drinks<\/h3>\n

How it works:<\/strong> The sugar in any full-sugar soft drink interferes with weeds\u2019 water intake, while its acidic pH damages the plant structure.<\/p>\n

The big problem:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Fizzy soft drinks will do nothing to help the delicate balance of organisms and bacteria in your soil. The hefty sugar content could also attract ants or wasps, and it will also make driveways and paving really sticky. Drink it instead, and use that extra energy for some hands-on gardening.<\/p>\n

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\"Clove<\/p>\n

4: Clove oil<\/h3>\n

How it works:<\/strong> Diluted clove oil, when sprayed onto plants, disrupts cellular membranes and dries leaves and stems.<\/p>\n

The big problem:<\/strong> Another short-term, but pretty expensive, solution for pesky patio weeds.\u00a0This would not\u00a0reach the roots of deep-rooted weeds and would need repeated applications. Additionally, the active ingredient in clove oil is eugenol, which can be a skin and eye irritant, so you\u2019d need to wear protective goggles and gloves when spraying it.\u00a0Save your money and invest in a good patio knife instead.<\/p>\n

\"Landscape<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

5: Landscape fabric to \u2018permanently\u2019 wipe out weeds<\/h3>\n

How it works:<\/strong> Lay thick sheets of heavy-duty weed membrane to suffocate existing weeds, prevent new ones from growing and keep the area \u2018neat and tidy\u2019.<\/p>\n

The big problem:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>In the short term, this method will certainly hide and possibly kill whatever is underneath \u2013 a great option for keeping an allotment bed free of weeds for a couple of months. But plants have clever ways of getting around even so-called \u2018permanent\u2019 plastic. From below, deep-rooted weeds like creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense<\/em>) or field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis<\/em>) will find their way through to cracks or the outer edge of the membrane. From above, tiny weed seeds carried on the wind, like those of the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale<\/em>), will germinate on the surface, plunging thick tap roots through the membrane into the ground below. Any gardener who has tried to get a dandelion out when its deep roots are entangled in these plastic fibres will tell you it is almost impossible without tearing holes, snapping the root, which will then regrow or both. For any period longer than a few months, the weeds will find a way.<\/p>\n

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\"Hoeing<\/p>\n

6: Stale seedbed<\/h3>\n

How it works:<\/strong> Rake your empty seedbed, allow weed seeds to germinate, then swoop in and destroy them.<\/p>\n

The big problem:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>This is an excellent way of removing annual weeds before they become a real problem and start competing with your precious vegetable crops. The big question is how<\/strong> you remove those weed seedlings. Some influencers recommend using a herbicide, but it\u2019s safer for your future crops to invest in a simple garden hoe and cut them off at the root. A little more effort, but much better for soil and plant life. Before you begin, make sure to dig out any deep-rooted weeds with a sturdy garden fork.<\/p>\n

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\"Laying<\/p>\n

7: Solarisation using sunlight and clear plastic to heat soil and kill weed seeds<\/h3>\n

How it works: <\/strong>Lay a sheet of transparent plastic on a prepared seedbed and allow dormant weed seeds to germinate, dry out and die.<\/p>\n

The big problem: <\/strong>Aside from the cost, faff and environmental impact of bringing yet more unrecyclable plastic into the garden, British springs in recent years have been relatively cold. This method relies on predictable spells of hot weather\u00a0\u2013\u00a0and that may well not arrive before you want to get your beds growing. Save the effort (and plastic) and opt for the stale bed technique instead.<\/p>\n

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\"Pouring<\/p>\n

8: Boiling water<\/h3>\n

How it works: <\/strong>Pour boiling water on pesky weeds.<\/p>\n

The big problem: <\/strong>For the right weed in the right place, it\u2019s worth a try. Annual weeds in tricky spots like paving cracks may be killed off with this quick, cheap method. It\u2019s far less effective on deep-rooted perennials like green alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens<\/em>) because the roots may escape damage and will grow again. Plus, you\u2019ll feel a bit silly running back and forth to the kitchen to boil the kettle\u00a0\u2013\u00a0not practical for a big driveway.<\/p>\n

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9: Vodka<\/h3>\n

How it works: <\/strong>Spray a vodka\/water mixture directly onto weeds to dehydrate them, causing them to wither and die.<\/p>\n

The big problem: <\/strong>This method is really an attempt to replace chemical herbicides with something less harmful (but in this case, quite a lot more expensive). The problem is, as herbicides go, this one is very weak, indiscriminate and not very effective. As it’s a contact herbicide (as opposed to a systemic one), it only damages the part of the plant it touches, so it won\u2019t get to the root of those dandelions and actually kill them. Mixing your own herbicides or using household products is not advisable because they can damage soil, soil organisms and the environment. Better to mix yourself a nice Espresso Martini instead.<\/p>\n

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\"Baking<\/p>\n

10: Baking soda<\/h3>\n

How it works:<\/strong> Sprinkle baking soda directly onto weeds to kill them, particularly on tricky spots like paving cracks.<\/p>\n

The big problem:<\/strong> Another attempt to replace chemical weedkillers, this method will certainly damage any plants it touches; it won\u2019t go into the root and kill the plant completely. It is mainly effective on those tiny annual weeds in cracks and crevices of paving, but boiling water would do the same job.<\/p>\n

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\"Mixing<\/p>\n

11: Spray of vinegar and baking soda<\/h3>\n

How it works: <\/strong>Mix one part baking soda, two parts white vinegar and lemon juice to spray on young or annual weeds in paved areas.<\/p>\n

The big problem: <\/strong>This is fairly effective on shallow-rooted, young, annual leaves in paving, but again, it won\u2019t make a dent on deep-rooted perennials and mixing your own herbicides isn’t advisable. Plus, the smell might put your neighbours off their barbecue. In the border, it would be far more effective to hoe, dig or hand-pull the weeds.<\/p>\n

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\"No-dig<\/p>\n

12: No-dig mulching<\/h3>\n

How it works: <\/strong>Place layers of cardboard directly on the bed, then add compost, leaf mould or well-rotted manure on top.<\/p>\n

The big problem: <\/strong>When it works, this is a fantastic method for creating new ornamental or veg beds directly onto the lawn, or for renovating and extending existing flower beds. Over time, the cardboard rots down, and worms pull the compost into the soil, improving texture, and the weeds underneath are largely killed off. However, there are a few caveats. Really deep-rooted weeds may survive and should be dug out first. As well as this, if the cardboard doesn\u2019t rot down quickly, you could find that hungry birds will peck around in the bed and fling bits of cardboard all over your garden. Give the cardboard a thorough soaking before adding the mulch to ensure it rots down quickly. More is more with this method \u2013 when it comes to weed control, a really thick mulch (5-8cm) is best.<\/p>\n

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\"f<\/p>\n

13: Flame throwers<\/h3>\n

How it works: <\/strong>This is a DIY version of weed burners, which use live flames to burn up unwanted plants.<\/p>\n

The big problem:<\/strong> Fire will obviously damage and potentially kill shallow-rooted, annual weeds, and weed burners are particularly effective on those pesky patios and driveways (as long as you don\u2019t mind scorch marks). However, while weed burners are legal to buy in the UK, flame throwers are considered a firearm, and even weed burners need fuel or power, and can pose a fire hazard. No matter what our Atlantic cousins are doing on TikTok (some of them in flip flops!), flame throwers are not a safe or legal gardening tool. Save any pyromaniac zeal for fireworks night.<\/p>\n

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\"Prevent<\/p>\n

14: Fight weeds with plants \u2013 tough ground-cover species that out-compete weeds<\/h3>\n

How it works: <\/strong>Choose vigorous ground-cover plants to outcompete weeds.<\/p>\n

The big problem:<\/strong> Nothing is completely weed-proof, but this is a good long-term method for weed control. In borders, hardy geraniums, persicaria, Alchemilla mollis<\/em>\u00a0or tough grasses will quickly cover the bare ground that weed seedlings need to thrive. In paving, creeping thyme,\u00a0Erigeron karvinskianus<\/em> or Roman chamomile can populate weed-prone cracks. This method works, but check every few weeks and hand-pull invaders. Also, be aware that once you have such vigorous growers, they may be hard to get rid of, so be sure that you like them before you commit.<\/p>\n

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\"Weeding<\/p>\n

15: Just, um\u2026 weeding<\/h3>\n

How it works<\/strong>: Get your gloves on, grab your tools and pull those weeds out.<\/p>\n

The big problem: <\/strong>Weeding is hard work. It\u2019s never finished, and it\u2019s not a quick fix. The main challenge here is really effort, and accepting that a healthy garden is never going to be completely free of weeds. To become a really effective weed ninja, you need to catch them when they\u2019re young, before they\u2019ve set seed or, if they\u2019ve become really established, be prepared to dig, cut and pull them until they give up the ghost. It\u2019s a mucky, tiring business \u2013 but isn\u2019t that what gardening is really all about?<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For every unwanted weed popping up in your borders, there\u2019s an online hack claiming to eradicate them forever. We took a look at some of the most popular ideas, to find the ones worth trying, as well as the ones…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1299,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1298","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1298"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1298"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1298\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1299"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1298"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1298"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1298"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}