Mechanical Control
The use of mechanical and physical weed control methods is often associated with agriculture and home gardening. In fact, the number one work task of the world's human population is hand weeding crops. Even so, this control method can also be useful in range and wildland weed control efforts.
The use of mechanical and physical control really depends upon the type of weed and its location. Small patches of weeds can be hand-pulled and dug up, while larger populations make mowing or burning a better option. In other cases, regrowth from deep perennial roots may make mechanical and physical methods altogether ineffective.
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Hand-pulling | • Highly specific • Damage to other plants is low • Minimal equipment cost • Anyone can do it |
• Labor intensive: most expensive
form of weed control • No residual control • Damaged weeds can recover • Doesn't kill most perennial weeds |
| Tillage: most common | • Effective against a wide variety
of weeds • Fast |
• Can only be used in crops, pastures,
and some rangeland • Loss of moisture • No residual control • Increased soil erosion • Mixes seeds in soil • Doesn't kill most perennial weeds |
| Mowing or Chopping | • Reduced seed production • Deplete root reserve • Can kill a few plants |
• Not effective at
killing many weeds • Has little effect on low growing plants |
| Burning, Heat, or Electrocute |
• Fire is a natural disturbance
that can revitalize some native plants • Heating soil or manure will sterilize the seeds. For gardens or nurseries. |
• Fire can open up new areas for
weed invasion • Removes all vegetation (non-selective) • Doesn't kill most perennial weeds |