Non-chemical weed control

WHY HOT WATER?

Using hot water to rid weeds is not a new invention. The first patent was taken out back in the 1880s, but the method could not be used on a large scale owing to the inadequacies of the technology.

Thermal weed control is based on transferring energy (heat) to the plant to distort the plant's cells. Water is one of nature's best energy carriers and often easily available. This makes using hot water the natural choice.

WATER IS WATER, ISN'T IT?

Steam and hot air do not work in the same way as hot water:

  1. Hot water can transfer up to 23-27 times more energy than hot air or steam.
  2. Gravity means that the water flows downwards and reaches the plant quickly, right down to the roots.
  3. Hot air and steam always rise, so some of the energy (heat) disappears before it gets to the plant.

The Heatweed Method fully exploits the properties of water: Combined with sensor technology and advanced temperature control, this results in a means of controlling weeds that requires very little energy. Thanks to efficient energy transfer, a maximum of four applications a year will suffice.

A study carried out at the University of Copenhagen shows that treatment with hot water produces the lowest weed cover – even with the lowest treatment frequency. See the below table:

Above: Photos from studies conducted at GUniversity of Ghent 7 days and 21 days after application of three different methods.

The most common herbicide-free methods compared

There are advantages and disadvantages to most methods. The Heatweed Method is a just choice.