Editor:
I am responding to several recent letters. Invasive weeds, such as Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, Japanese knotweed and Scottish broom, were all introduced by humans – usually as garden plants! Unfortunately, these spread and take over native habitats. There are giant stands of knotweed and blackberries all along the highway between Gibsons and Sechelt, suppressing all native growth.
Integrated Pest Man-agement (IPM), is the control method for weeds. Cultural, mechanical and biological means are used where possible. As a last resort, chemical means are used. Glyphosate can be used successfully with controlled applications such as stem injection or the cut and dab method. As a last resort, backpack spraying can be used on small areas. Glyphosate neutralizes with contact to the soil’s mineral contents. It is a translocated herbicide, so it is absorbed by the leaves and travels down and kills the root system. It also has a very, very low toxicity to birds, bees and fish.
I hope this calms down the fear-mongers out there, but I doubt it. Keep driving your car, etc., and continue to add to global warming
Les Kadulski, Gibsons
