How to Get Rid of Invasive Thistle without Roundup. "Bee Safe" Weed Treatment

It can be delicate balance- needing to get rid of invasive noxious weeds on your property while having minimal negative impact on the environment. I was very hesitant in wanting to tackle my canada thistle problem because I didn't want to use poisonous herbicides that might kill my honeybees.
So when I noticed the thistle invading all over, I thought I could get rid of it by chopping it down- but it all came back! So I went to talk to my local cooperative extension agent and she recommended a virtually non-toxic product that is extremely effective at getting rid of thistle and other weeds. Enter: Milestone!
Here's what I used to get rid of our thistle problem:
amzn.to/2NENhDN
amzn.to/2p3XzPL

[@walterjwalnut9964]

Hi Amy, The medium volume (1-2 gal) sprayers are not very expensive to buy and the big advantage of having one permanently available is that if you find survivors, it's viable to mix a small brew and go back and hit them again, as opposed to hitting them next year. Also, the nozzle on most of the sprayers is adjustable to give a reasonably wide mist spray rather than the narrow stream that you showed. This tends to provide better coverage for less chemical usage, same principal, once you can see the leaves are moist on a dry day, you have applied enough. Here is Oz, we also have access to a water soluble die that leaves a coloured marker on the sprayed vegetation, helps to make it obvious what has been sprayed and what hasn't, very helpful if you need to work in stages or go back to base to mix another brew.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Very helpful! Good news is the sprayers are available to the community for no charge, about any time of the year the vegetation is present. We are allowed 3 days use before needing to return them. I can see where that color dye would be helpful- i had to go back and mix up more solution and had to guess where I left off. I think I might get one more pass at it before the weather cools off for good.

[@eatportchops]

South of you in New Mexico we just use a shovel and a garbage bag to dig them up and put them in the trash. The next year very few came up. More environmental friendly solution.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

We just excavated next to the driveway to install electrical line, hopefully that will also keep them away.

[@jeansintheyard]

That works, however it is less effective in environments that get more rainfall.

[@Ana-ux6of]

New to Colorado, and just bought a house with an undercared for front and back yard. This is helpful! I didn’t want to use roundup.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gallerybethmichaud409]

🐝Thank you for spending extra effort for sharing your experienc; I am definitely helped, by your video this morning! Now I have hope plus a product to use on my own property! Cheerfully encouraged, Beth in NW Montana

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Glad I could help!

[@KMateri13]

Freakin' thistle! A real problem in the Black hills and here is N.E. Wyoming also. I've been battling it back for years with 2-4D and Glyphosate, but have bees this year so...County extension also suggests Milestone. Good Work, keep it up.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Wow. Hope it works out for you. It really worked well.

[@grundlepod]

Roundup is not only harmful to bees. It causes lymphoma in humans, too.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Absolutely important point.

[@crawdadlando4053]

Not true on bees, most of the time when bees are dead it’s from fungus in the hives. And nothing has been proven for glyphosate in humans.

[@crawdadlando4053]

The disinformation plague you spread is a retard virus of the mind.

[@anneann9127]

I know this is from 2018, so I wanted to update anyone using this stuff for weed control. I was going to use it for thistles but have decided not to based on the EPA findings. In 2020 it proposed new measures to reduce potential spray drift to protect non-target organisms. The EPA also proposed the following new mitigation measures to address potential residues in compost. They have also issued a warning about using plant material treated with this to not be used in composting.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Thanks for sharing

[@EvanMooreZ]

I bet they’re all back. Looking forward to your follow up video.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Will take a thorough look this spring. Last year no problems, so that's 2 years without additional mitigation.

[@petercunningham4000]

I hope you folks are safe from the big storm that we are seeing on our tv screens.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Yes- not affecting us- we are on the other side of the country. We could use some rain though!

[@executivesteps]

Roundup is useless on thistle. The leaves will “curl” slightly but doesn’t kill the weed.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

yeah we don't use it

[@jkhenderson1]

That's a great alternative. Roundup is bad in every way!

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Was very happy to learn of it.

[@heavymechanic2]

I don't think you mentioned this herbicide can linger in the soil for years and affect wildflowers and other broadleaf plants. A coarse spray at low pressure gives you better coverage than the stream you were using, a surfactant can also make the application more effective with less chemical.. Milestone and Tordon are the best for long term control but there are restrictions with grazing animals and the herbicide can be carried away by birds and other wildlife through plant tissue.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

thanks for the additional info

[@super123steve]

the young girl at survival ht shows how to harvest and eat thistle,the canada thistle may be different ours in idaho grows several ft tall.good luck with that stuff!

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Wow now that is interesting . I think artichoke is in the thistle family. I know my sister has cooked with nettles, but I think that's much different.

[@eileentenenbaum1613]

I tried vinegar but it did not kill the roots the thistles just grew back. Did yours?

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

it seems to suppress the grown for a year or so, then mild regrowth, i suspect from general spread.

[@user-xr1zg6xt8n]

mine are about 5 feet and purple

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

wow!

[@robertsmistik9678]

Roundup does not contain neonicotinoids!

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Thanks for the clarification

[@JoeAroner-SIWAYTV]

Neonicotinoids are a group of insecticides. They are not in herbicides. What the world needs is accurate information. 24k views with misinformation, please do your homework or quote reliable source such as you extension agents. Really appreciate your passion for helping to eliminate noxious invasive weeds.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

@@JoeAroner-SIWAYTV thanks it was mentioned earlier in these comments "glycophosphates" would have been the accurate term.

[@yasminghani2073]

Enjoy watching your video

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Thanks so much

[@RodneyPeters]

Holy crap, Milestone is expensive

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Is it? It's free for us to go through our Extension office.

[@RodneyPeters]

@@ColoradoMountainLiving On Amazon it's over a hundred bucks for a jug.

[@svalent420]

@@ColoradoMountainLiving Are you referring to the CSU Extension Office? I live near Lookout Mountain, do you think they will provide Milestone to us free of charge?

[@marvincarvin1846]

Surprised to see you "squirting" instead of "spraying/misting" the herbicide. Is that a better technique?

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Yes, I was surprised too when it first came out that way, but then with the constant wind up here, I realized why it was set to "dribble". Probably uses more- but I only ended up using an ounce total diluted to 2.5 gallons and treated quite a substantial area.

[@Kikin111976]

Hot white vinegar with salt and Dawn on a sunny hot day will have the same results in 10 minutes,... thistle is like a malignant cancer

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Really? Will have to try it.

[@tonyrodriguez6869]

How much of each thanks

[@allanwheel4648]

You are not spraying, you are soaking it...something is wrong with your nozzle or you don't have enough pressure in your tank

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

thanks, it was a nozzle problem

[@jacksak]

If it's in the drive, is it also all over the woods? I mean, does the state want you to "hunt the thistle" all over the property? And, are there penalties for letting it grow if you know about it? Thanks.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Good questions. Because of the seeds- it has the potential to spread anywhere, but you'll find it in sections because it also spreads by root system. Mostly along the driveway because of 2 most probable reasons: 1. seeds were in the dirt fill to create the driveway or 2. Seeds come in off the dirt in tires from vehicles entering the driveway. The state is wanting you to take action to control and discourage the proliferation of the spreading weed. So if you have some way in the woods and you dont know about it- that's not really the issue- but if you have massive patches growing and spreading every year that are obvious, than that's where it would be unlawful to not take any action. I'm not certain the penalty...perhaps a fine? I didn't ask the county specifically. If I didn't tackle it this year, next year it could be spread to twice the area- that could be almost half of my neighbors front property.

[@jacksak]

Thanks for your good reply. I read about Canada Thistle, and we have it here on our property in NH. It's a nasty plant, especially because of the root system. ["Canada thistle can produce up to 364 feet of roots in only 18 weeks" USU]

[@jodysappington7008]

love the flowers

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Me too!!

[@stevetheengineer]

Jody Sappington b

[@severenkoski856]

Will digging them out by hand help? New property, they are not totally out of control, but will be shortly. I have been using a small shovel, loosen up the dirt, they pop right out root and all.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

I was told they would just grow back because the root system is so extensive. I tried it earlier and had many come back.

[@severenkoski856]

The thistle on my property is in flower beds and spilling into the lawn. I would hate to use a spray that would kill the grass, flowers or make it difficult for anything to grow. Such a pain this stuff is, and I am in Ohio.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

This stuff didn't kill anything around it. Only the thistle I sprayed it on. Good luck!

[@jaynehaskins4670]

If they are already grown with flowers is it best to chop down and then spray ?

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

If already flowering, yes, you don't want it to go to seed. spray remaining leaves

[@jammosu6498]

Does tenacity work?

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

is this a product or do you just mean the adjective? Yes, if one has tenacity, and lots of elbow grease you can keep up with it manually.

[@TonyHookedonVanlife]

Do y'all have poison ivy there? I am sooooooo allergic, I can get it just by being near it. We live in North Carolina now but would like to relocate to CO in the next 3-4 years...

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Nope none of that! You sound like Bryan- he's quite allergic as well. We had it bad when we lived in NC- but you won't find that up here at our elevation, no snakes either.

[@hoapham9698]

There's a lot of poison ivy/oak at lower elevations of Colorado, usually in riparian floodplains. I've found them growing up to about 7,000' in elevation. As temperatures continue to rise, they'll get up even higher.

[@fousies]

Will this kill other plants too and poison ivy

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Does it kills goats head weed? Need to get rid of some of that!

[@KMateri13]

Also, seen any millers this year...good Lord, they are TERRIBLE here this year. They migrate from Colorado, so could you run up and shut the door please?

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Not yet but with the mountains, maybe we're just running late up here. lol!

[@amandavrtis6735]

I have them up here in Divide CO they will get up to you eventually!

[@KMateri13]

@@amandavrtis6735 , They are here in force...but I am trying to shoo them all back down your way...I don't seem to be making much headway though, ha ha

[@altagama7245]

Does it kill the grass or not?

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

no does not kill grass

[@dianamcm11]

Lol.. got a roundup commercial on this vid.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

or a milestone commercial you mean

[@XxBloggs]

What's the active ingredient??

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

google it

[@timohearn5689]

Canada invading Colorado, who woulda thought eh? 😊 Good to see an alternative. Got to save the bees and other pollinators !!

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

😂 Yes- I was skeptical at first because it was from the Dow chemical company, but the cooperative extension assured me it was non-toxic to most living things (just not the weeds!)

[@godblessamericanbass303]

does this kill grass

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

It seems to be specific to the thistle itself. When you use the sprayer, you only spray the plant, but I didn't notice any surrounding grass dying. It's not like you spray the thistle and then a huge patch of grass around it dies, not at all.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Oh...I thought you were talking about the most invasive weed in CO

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

HA! Was waiting for that joke 😂

[@jre8339]

Terrible disgusting putting poison all over your garden

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

in the ditch you mean, not garden

[@willdwyer6782]

Milestone costs about $100 per quart. I'd rather buy something cheaper.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

It was free for us, provided by the county.

[@tootoo3172]

Yikes 😬 I was surprised to see you spraying with your doggo right there near you. Remember they’re close to the ground and inhaling all that spray. Also, I know you’ve been told that Milestone is safe but personally, I don’t trust them! They’re still claiming Round-Up is safe! Argh 😤

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Well the good news is that there is almost zero thistle for the past 2 years since i did that treatment. All the grass and wildflowers I planted in the same area are just fine :) and so are the bees!

[@GreenShoots]

Roundup doesn't contain neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoids are an active ingredient in insecticides. Roundup is an herbicide.

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Thank you for the clarification! Glycophosphates is what I should have said.

[@MichaelWilliamsSA]

I'm from Australia, so don't know your weed types. Do you call it Canadian Thistle because it is from Canada or because it is annoying? ;)

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

LOL that's funny. the name is a misnomer. It doesn't come from Canada, and not sure of how it got the name.

[@loreneosborn2995]

Absolutely toxic to bees

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

Can you share a research article on that? thanks

[@robertsmistik9678]

Roundup does not kill bees. It is a herbicide not an insecticide!

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

www.sierraclub.org/sierra/new-study-shows-roundup-kills-bees

[@robertsmistik9678]

@@ColoradoMountainLiving thanks. Prior to this the only research i could fine of effects of glyphosate on bees is that it adversely affected their navigation system so they couldn't find their way back to the hives. Until it labeled as lethal to bees , this will continue.

[@AlanZapp]

This video is just an advertisement for another pesticide. These unimpressive people are too physically weak to handle the weeds without the chemicals, as I do on my honeybee farm. "So I went to my local CHEMICAL PURVEYOR and gee whiz, they recommended this great chemical! Thanks, establishment! Spray it and forget it!"

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

not really an advertisement. just a better alternative.

[@deeznuts-lx1us]

Ssss ssss sssss

[@ColoradoMountainLiving]

S