How to get rid of woodlice - effective ways to control weeds

Woodlice is a rare inhabitant of natural grass habitats. The fragile structure and weak root system cannot withstand competition with stronger neighbors adapted to harsh conditions.

Unlike meadows and fields, a summer cottage allows woodlice to fill the empty spaces between cultural plantings and enjoy all the benefits - watering, loosening and fertilizing. The ability to grow rapidly leads to oppression of plantings, which have to share moisture and soil nutrients with the weed.

Weed - woodlice grass, biting midge, biting midge: what is it, what does it look like?

Woodlice is a herb that every gardener knows by sight. Very often it becomes the reason for frequent weeding and treatment of the land with chemicals, because so many people try to get rid of the annoying “moth”.

Woodlice is a grass with small oblong leaves pointed in the middle. At the same time, woodlice can have a long stem, which allows it to spread along the ground and drown out useful crops. Woodlice blooms with small white flowers, reminiscent of chamomile flowers, only with a light green core.

This is how woodlice blooms

Woodlouse is called the following names depending on the region: woodlouse, midge, hernia grass, canary grass. The official name found in herb guides is chickweed.

This is interesting! Woodlice belongs to the genus of annual plants, which, however, does not prevent it from refilling the gardens every year.

Beneficial features

Woodlice is rich in a large number of useful elements. It contains essential oils, potassium salt, lipids, tannins, phytocins, alkaloids and flavonoids. It also contains various minerals (magnesium, zinc, iron, cobalt, boron) and vitamins. This amount of useful substances makes it possible to use woodlice as an analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, choleretic and expectorant. The plant is also used as a remedy for:

• increasing immunity;
• treatment of pulmonary diseases;
• strengthening the nervous system;
• activation of hemoglobin production;
• treatment of diseases of the kidneys, heart, liver, and thyroid gland.

The medicinal properties of woodlice weed allow it to be used to prevent the functioning of the nervous and immune systems. It is usually consumed fresh as a seasoning for salads, soups or sandwiches. It is also taken as a medicine in the form of decoction, juice, infusion or tea. However, there are also contraindications. As a remedy, chickweed should not be used by people with low blood pressure, because taking it will further aggravate the situation.

If there are a lot of woodlice in the garden, then what kind of soil is it, what kind of soil does woodlice weed like?

Woodlice is not picky about soil; however, it does not grow well on sandy soil. It loves dark places and can even grow under boards and bricks. The main condition for active growth of woodlice is moisture. The stem of this herb is very thin and delicate, covered with fine hairs, thanks to which the plant accumulates and retains moisture.

Excellent places for woodlice to grow are under low bushes, in potato fields, in cucumber beds and greenhouses with tomatoes and peppers.

Woodlice likes to grow with other weeds

The acidity of the soil is not so important for this moisture-loving plant; the main conditions are the presence of useful minerals, warmth and moisture.

Features of the pest

The plant is a flowering annual belonging to the Carnation family. About 200 species are known that are capable of growing on all continents of the globe.

Low growth (about 10-15 cm) is compensated by branching; the shoots develop in breadth, forming a dense green canvas.

The leaves are longitudinal, ovate. Peduncles are small, needle-shaped, white in color. The growing season is from the beginning of May to the end of August. The fruit is a brown capsule containing many small seeds.

The seed does not need a period of rest, so shedding is accompanied by rapid germination. Over the course of a season, grass can produce three generations, providing the soil with seeds for many years to come.

Woodlice loves moist soil with a high level of acidity. The plant is not afraid of drought - the villi covering the trunk and border of the leaves are able to retain dew drops, providing the need for water on their own.

Despite its rich chemical composition, the plant is considered a dangerous neighbor for dacha plantings, since filling the near-trunk space of the crop is fraught with inhibition of growth and fruiting.

Does woodlice interfere with potato growth?

Contrary to the popular belief that any weeds must be destroyed, it should be said that moderation is needed in everything. Only excessive weed growth is harmful to cultivated plants. While a small amount of the same woodlice on potato beds will be an indicator of good soil. Since woodlice is reborn two to four times during the season, the soil on which this grass grew will be constantly replenished with nutrients. Potato tops suppress weed growth when they reach their peak growth.

Advice! But during the formation of the tuber and the first shoots, the number of weeds must be controlled so that they do not choke the potatoes.

The potato harvest largely depends on neighboring plants

Woodlouse - description and lifestyle

In nature, it is quite possible to find woodlice in shaded, damp places such as the banks of ravines or damp forest clearings. However, most of all this plant loves to settle near people - it lives in landfills, under fences, near houses and, which especially irritates summer residents, in the garden.

Despite the fact that this plant is low and inconspicuous, with tiny leaves and thin stems, it is a real malicious weed that is very difficult to get rid of.

The fact is that woodlice produces a huge number of seeds - there can be 5-15 thousand of them from one plant! These seeds are perfectly preserved under snow and remain viable for up to five years. In addition, chickweed reproduces well vegetatively - by rooting creeping branched stems, which produce new shoots and roots from each node. In this way, the plant develops from early spring until the onset of frost, giving 2-3-4 generations over the summer and quickly covering your area with a dense “cheerful” green carpet interspersed with white flowers, depriving cultivated plants of nutrition and moisture, deteriorating the condition of the soil and giving shelter to numerous pests.

In nature, in dense grass cover, woodlice cannot withstand competition with powerful perennials, but it really likes beds with loose, moist soil and sparsely planted vegetables. This is especially true in the spring and the habitats of garden crops that germinate slowly.

And also, as we have already written, this plant is extremely shade-tolerant, adapted to both cross- and self-pollination, frost-resistant and unpretentious - what is not an ideal weed?

How to remove woodlice grass from the garden using folk remedies: tips

There are both pros and cons to using folk remedies to control weeds.

• pros: environmentally friendly materials and no harm to other plants
• cons: traditional methods do not always work.

Usually they use salt, soda, vinegar, sawdust, boric acid (alcohol), and soap.

The easiest way is to dig up the weed area

• Salt is sprinkled around the bed to prevent woodlice from penetrating further. It is usually recommended to maintain a distance of 30 cm from cultivated plants. It is believed that after rain, the salt will be absorbed into the ground and will not allow weeds to enter the garden bed for a long time.
• Soda is used against woodlice in a similar way.
• Vinegar is sprayed half a meter from the bed onto the weeds. It burns not only the foliage, but also the roots.
• Sawdust is good if you use it in advance. In autumn they are scattered around the perimeter of the beds. This way they prevent the spread of weeds by creating a barrier.

Ways to get rid of weeds

The relevance of the fight against chickweed is explained by large crop losses and deterioration in the quality of the soil of the land plot. To get rid of the pest forever, you should use one of the effective and proven tactics, combining folk remedies and modern technologies.

Mechanical method

The most difficult, but safe for the soil method. Produced in stages throughout the season:

1. Weeding of the beds is carried out as new shoots appear in order to prevent seeds from ripening and self-seeding.
2. It is better to remove woodlice in an open space with a flat hoe, trying to go a few centimeters deep to cut off the growth point.
3. You should not allow the torn grass to be stored on the soil surface - many shoots will be able to germinate again. Woodlice should be dried away from crops and on a plastic surface.
4. The area affected by chickweed should be regularly loosened - this will allow the seeds left in the ground to be buried and make it difficult for them to further germinate.
5. With a large area of ​​woodlice habitat, it is necessary to dig up the land twice a year - in autumn and spring.

Soil deoxidation

A folk method with a good reputation. It consists of introducing a neutralizing substance into the soil when digging:

• slaked lime - added in the proportion of 0.5 kg per 1 sq. m in the autumn;
• wood ash - dry, in unlimited quantities in the spring;
• dolomite flour - suitable for sandy soils (0.4 kg per 1 sq. m);
• ground eggshells;
• planting green manure - rye, oats, mustard (sowing is done after harvesting).

Mustard - natural green manure for a summer cottage

Chemicals

You can get rid of woodlice by using herbicides - specialized substances aimed at destroying plants. Treatments are carried out on an area with harvested crops or unused for planting crops.

Among the proven drugs are “Tornado”, “Roundup”, “Zero”, “Kragan”, etc. One hundred square meters of land requires a consumption of the substance in a volume of 120 ml per 5 liters of water. Interesting! Roundup for weeds: instructions for use.

Rules for the use of herbicides:

• processing is carried out in dry and windless weather;
• protective clothing and respiratory tract are required;
• grass that has reached a height of at least 5 cm is processed;
• Cultivated plants adjacent to the weed should be covered with any available material during the spraying process.

The action of the herbicide occurs after some time. The vital activity of the pest fades away, and signs of imminent death of the plant appear.

Herbicide treatment can be spot or continuous

Traditional methods for woodlice overgrowth

Opponents of garden chemicals prefer to turn to safe recipes that eliminate adverse effects on the soil.

1. Bread kvass. 50 grams of powder are dissolved in 400 ml of hot water. The cooled liquid is used to treat the area where the grass grows.
2. A mixture of red pepper, tobacco and baking soda in a ratio of 1:1:1, dissolved in 1 liter of water. Spraying is carried out in the evening, trying to avoid proximity to cultivated plantings.
3. Using black garden material to cover beds affected by weeds. Insufficient light will suppress the development of seedlings throughout the season.

Beds under black material - reliable protection of crops from weeds

What solution should I use to treat the soil against woodlice?

Solutions are rightfully considered more effective means, especially if they are concentrated. You can achieve the desired concentration through trial and error. It is always recommended to start with small doses.

1. The number one method is herbicidal soap . It consists of equal proportions of laundry soap, salt, vinegar, mixed well. This mixture is used to water the weeds along the perimeter of the growth of cultivated plants.
2. Vinegar and salt - method number two. A 70% vinegar solution is diluted with water to 5%, then a glass of salt is added. Water the weeds with this mixture.

Even strong sun and heat can help get rid of woodlice.
If the woodlice is deprived of moisture, as well as shelter in the form of cultivated plants, it will die on its own.

Soil liming

Liming the soil with digging to remove woodlice.
The weed actively reproduces in an acidic or strongly acidic environment. Liming will “deoxidize” the soil. To bring the pH balance of the soil to a neutral level, take chalk, dolomite flour, and ash. Lime fertilizers will reduce acidity and improve the soil. This will slow down the development of woodlice and other weed species.

Lime the soil in the fall or in the spring - with digging. Dilute 1 cup of ash in a bucket of water, pour the solution onto the ground, or use a solution of water, lime and sulfur. Fertilizers will help overcome the acidic environment. Please note that vegetable crops can be harmed, so do not carry out work during the period of development and fruiting.

How to fight woodlice with chemicals?

Chemical agents are considered quite reliable in the fight against woodlice and other weeds. The following drugs are often used:

• "Tornado" is not harmful to the soil, but harmful to weeds. A plant such as woodlice immediately turns yellow from this chemical and dies within a few days.
• “Hurricane Forte” is a chemical that penetrates the stems and foliage of the plant; the weed dies in a few weeks.
• Roundup will get rid of woodlice forever in two weeks.

Important! No matter how harmless a chemical agent may seem, remember that any of them should be treated with caution and used only in cases of extreme necessity.

Organic weed killers can also be purchased at the store.

We recommend watching the weed control video below.

Prevention of recurrence

Fighting woodlice is a long and difficult job. It is important not only to remove the pest from the territory of the dacha, but also to work on the mistakes. Since the growth of chickweed is a consequence of a violation of one of the factors of the favorable soil microclimate, it is necessary to remember several preventive measures:

1. regular rotation of cultivated plants on the site;
2. annual mulching of the soil with available materials - humus, straw, compost, peat, etc.;
3. the use of green manure plants sown in August, immediately after harvesting;
4. prohibition on putting woodlice in the compost pit;
5. taking measures to eliminate water stagnation.

Read how to get rid of wasps.

Reasons for appearance

A garden plot may attract harmful crustaceans for the following reasons:

• Excess moisture, which can be caused by precipitation, leaking watering hoses, or excessive soil irrigation.
• Poor ventilation in greenhouses, where the air is humidified to 80-90%.
• Open areas for storing waste.
• Compost pits with temperatures below 40 °C.
• Accumulation of various garbage on the territory (remains of cellophane, brick fragments, cuttings of branches).
• Stagnant water in various open containers.

Crustaceans can get into the greenhouse along with soil, manure or humus from the garden.

Chemicals

If you cannot cope with harmful crustaceans using simple methods, you can use contact-intestinal chemicals.

Granules "Thunderstorm"

Anti-slug insecticide based on metaldehyde, also effective for killing woodlice.
The consumption of the product is 5-6 g per area of ​​10 square meters. m. Granules are scattered in the spring around seedlings planted in the ground. The insecticide is left on the ground for up to two weeks and then collected and burned. You can repeat the procedure 2-3 times per season. Analogues of the drug are Chinese “Metaldehyde” and Swiss “Meta”.

The drug should not come into contact with edible plant foliage, as it can cause poisoning in humans if consumed.

Means "Ulitsid"

Consists of a mixture of grains, mustard, wood ash, black pepper, sugar, salt and hops. The main active ingredient is iron phosphate, which causes dehydration in pests and is completely processed by microorganisms in the soil.

Harm caused

The indestructible chickweed is useful only in the gardener's plate or in the form of a tincture or decoction. This is truly a storehouse of useful, even medicinal, raw materials. And in the garden bed where woodlice grows, the cultivated plants will die. Why are woodlice thickets so dangerous:

• the weed is a dangerous competitor of vegetable, fruit, and ornamental plants in the extraction of moisture and nutrition from the soil: woodlice fattens due to fertilizers and watering intended for the crop;
• the powerful root system of weeds that permeates the ground inhibits the roots of seedlings or seedlings that have not yet become established;
• a dense green carpet squeezes out weak shoots, not giving them light or air;
• the denser the thickets of woodlouse grass, the greater the likelihood of damaging the roots of the crop by pulling out the weed;
• fragile seedlings can be easily weeded out along with the weed;
• under the woodlouse cushion, cultivated plants are not ventilated, the humidity level is high, so the risk of fungal, viral, and bacterial infections of cultivated plantings increases;
• chickweed is not affected by insect pests, but creates favorable conditions for parasites to attack vegetable, berry, and ornamental plants.

This list is enough to make even a careless gardener wonder how to get rid of woodlice grass.

Expert advice

The following preventive measures will help you avoid the appearance of woodlice in your garden plot:

• Timely weeding of beds.
• Renewing the soil in greenhouses and greenhouses, avoiding excessive watering, regular ventilation, removing plant debris and debris.
• Minimizing soil fertilization with peat and tree bark.
• Cleaning the area from rotten tops, fallen fruits and vegetables.
• Removing rotting lumber from the area and uprooting old stumps.
• Storage of household waste in containers with lids and their timely cleaning.
• Adding manure to compost pits. It will increase the temperature of the rotting plant mass to a value unsuitable for woodlice.
• Spring treatment of row spacing with “Metaldehyde”, protecting young shoots from being eaten.

It is necessary to keep the garden clean, promptly remove accumulated debris and weeds, and prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged. Preventing the appearance of pests is much easier than eliminating the consequences of infection.

How to weed woodlice so it doesn't grow back

The most primitive and most labor-intensive, but nevertheless quite good way to combat chickweed is weeding.

It will be most effective if you follow the following recommendations:

• You need to weed the grass before the seeds ripen;
• with active struggle, the procedure should be fairly regular - at least once a week;
• Weeded grass should not be left in the garden. Even small fragments of this plant take root easily, and labor may be in vain. Weeds need to be collected and thrown away from the beds. An exception can be made if the summer is dry. In the hot sun, weeded woodlice dies quite quickly;
• When weeding, you need to deeply loosen the soil. Seeds sprout if they are located at a distance of no more than 1 cm from the surface. By burying them deeper, you can prevent them from sprouting;
• After weeding, the soil is covered with black cellophane. The dark color attracts the sun's rays, as a result of which the seeds and stems of the plant remaining on the soil die from drying out.

Despite the labor-intensive nature of the method, it continues to be considered the most useful and environmentally friendly. During the weeding process, the moisture conductivity and air saturation of the soil improve, and the quality of the fertile layer increases.

In addition, there is no factor of the aggressive influence of herbicides, which, in addition to woodlice, simultaneously destroy a number of bacteria useful for the growth of garden crops.