While most people plant bamboo in their yards for ornamental and decorative purposes, the side-effect of their aesthetic appeal is that they spread quickly and (often) unrelentingly. There are several control methods, but sometimes the simple solution is best. Gasoline is occasionally used for its weed-controlling properties, but does gasoline kill bamboo?
Although gasoline kills bamboo, it is not a recommended herbicide. Gasoline is a harsh, ” non-selective cocktail,” killing most plants. It also poisons the soil and kills the essential biota, preventing anything from growing. However, if used, it should be through spot application.
While gasoline works as a weed killer, it’s a frowned-upon practice. There are several consequences when going this route of plant control, some of which are explored in the rest of this article. We’ll also compare any beneficial attributes and what the alternative control methods are.
Understanding The Effects Of Gasoline On Bamboo
Gasoline is a petroleum-based product synthesized from petroleum liquids (like fuel ethanol) and crude oil (a fossil fuel) through various refinery processes. The outcome of these processes is to produce fuel for motor vehicles or other engines.
Although this product was not intended as a herbicide, it is frequently applied in that capacity, particularly when treating weeds in crops or around the lawn.
In terms of killing potential, there is no denying that these petroleum-based products are lethal; however, using them as a herbicide is generally not recommended, particularly when controlling useful plants like bamboo.
More than 1400 species of these tall, woody grasses belong to the subfamily Bambusoideae. These hardy plants grow in mostly tropical, subtropical, and mild temperate climates, but many people plant them for ornamental/landscaping purposes.
Unfortunately, when left unattended and poorly managed, these plants easily “escape” into neighboring yards or other open spaces. Once bamboo plants get out, it can be challenging to control their spread.
How Does Gasoline Kill Bamboo?
To understand why these substances are toxic and unfit for use as a herbicide, we must examine them at a chemical level.
While there are different formulas, concentrations, and grades of gasoline, it generally consists of a minimum of 150 hydrocarbons, including the following:
- Alkanes 4-8%
- Alkenes 2-5%
- Cycloalkanes 3-7%
- Cycloalkenes 1-4%
- Isoalkanes 25-40%
- Total aromatics 20-50% (including 0.5-2.5% benzene, a carcinogenic compound)
When plants come into contact with these harmful chemicals (like methane and benzene), they begin to lose condition (wilting, yellowing, drooping, etc.), experience stunted development, and eventually die.
The hydrocarbons enter plants through the leaves and roots. Once inside, they enter the vascular system and destroy plant cells and tissues.
Aside from the hydrocarbons, there are other additives and blending agents in gasoline, including:
- Anti-knock agents
- Anti-icing agents
- Anti-oxidants
- Anti-rust agents
- Detergents
- Dyes
- Lead scavengers
- Metal deactivators
- Upper-cylinder lubricants
While not as lethal as the hydrocarbons, these chemicals cause a decline in plant health.
Is Gasoline An Efficient Herbicide?
Regarding lethality, this petroleum product is top-notch, and if we look at this feature alone, it stands out in its effectiveness.
However (and this is a substantial point), Gasoline is NOT a good herbicide as it has further-reaching consequences than killing one or two unnecessary plants. For that reason, we don’t condone its application in this manner.
What Are The Risks Of Using Gasoline On Bamboo?
The consequences and hazards of using this dangerous product are extensive and not limited to the weed/invader.
It Spreads Rapidly Into The Soil
This petroleum liquid lacks the “sticking” characteristics of regular herbicides. When poured onto a plant, a considerable amount of runoff penetrates the soil and works its way down.
When killing bamboo, many consider it good practice to cut the plant and pour the petroleum over the soil above the roots, allowing it to skink down.
Gasoline Kills All Soil Biota
Aside from plants, earthworms, insects, bacteria, fungi, and all other soil biota are at risk. Most of these organisms are essential for soil health, and removing them causes the soil to lose productivity.
The Chemicals Persist In The Soil Hindering Other Plants
This chemical solution kills soil organisms through direct exposure, and the chemicals linger in the soil, preventing new organisms from colonizing the area and prolonging recovery.
It Poisons Water Sources
The most significant risk of using this chemical control method is that it readily poisons water sources. Once mixed with water, it may be difficult to taste/smell, but it still poses a risk to human, animal, and plant health.
This Substance Poses Health Risks
Aside from poisoning the water sources, these chemicals cause several complications in humans, including cancer and damage to the alveoli (the air sacs in your lungs).
This petroleum-based substance is incredibly volatile (it quickly evaporates when exposed to the air). When inhaled, the fumes are bad for your lungs, so wearing gloves and a mask is recommended.
Gasoline Poses A Fire Hazard
Gasoline is incredibly flammable, and pouring it onto plants and the soil increases the fire risk. While it is unlikely that the soil will burn/experience any significant issues, plants will burn when ignited.
Are There Benefits Of Using Gasoline On Bamboo?
When there are extensive infestations of these rapidly spreading grasses, and you plan to build a parking lot over the area, gasoline will eradicate the problem (effectively). It is also slightly cheaper than other herbicides.
However, if you plan on using it around the house, you risk damaging far more than the intended weeds.
In What Situations Could You Use Gasoline As A Bamboo Herbicide?
The answer should be “None.” With all of the available products, methods, and techniques, few situations warrant using this dangerous and long-lasting fuel as a control method.
The trade-off is too high. The stopping potential appeals to frustrated and desperate gardeners, but the action has a legacy effect.
In many states, pouring these harmful chemicals into your garden is illegal, fundamentally poisoning yourself, the neighbors, and the local environment.
However, gardeners effectively use gasoline by “spot treating” certain weeds, which are quickly killed by this hazardous substance. They lightly spray the chemicals on wind-free days and withhold watering for a sufficient time.
It is imperative that they use small volumes and that the poison lands on the plant’s leaves and not on the soil to mitigate unwanted damages. Other gardeners mix gasoline with diesel to produce a “stickier” substance that clings to the plants, limiting the spread and consequences.
Alternative Bamboo Herbicides And Control Methods
Fortunately, there are many, many, many better options for controlling bamboo before resorting to gasoline. These control methods include the following.
Total Removal By Mechanical Methods
The best method is total removal. This route involves digging the plant out by the roots, removing any chance of it resprouting from the rhizome.
The significant drawback to this method is that it is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and in dense bamboo areas, mechanically removing the plants may not be feasible.
Using Store-Bought/Selective Herbicides
If you’re convinced that chemical controlling unwanted plants is the right option, several store-bought herbicides target bamboo plants, which are preferable over petroleum-based chemicals.
The most effective product for controlling these grasses is Glyphosate.
These products are usually for foliar application and work best when combined with cutting mature plants and spraying the regrowth (when it’s about 3 feet high).
The benefit of this chemical control is that you can cover a wider area than when only mechanically removing the plants. However, it is still labor-intensive and time-consuming.
Using Other Less Harmful Chemicals
If control over large areas is essential, but you don’t relish the thought of using potent chemicals with lasting effects, you can consider using boiling water or white distilled vinegar.
These substances kill the plant’s meristem (growing point), preventing new leaves and stems (culms) from developing. The most effective method is to dig open the rhizome and roots and pour the substance over it.
While these techniques are less harmful in the long run, they may not completely kill the bamboo.
Conclusion
Gasoline kills bamboo and many other organisms effectively. However, there are many drawbacks and risks when using this petroleum-based product as a chemical control. They poison water sources, are non-selective in what they kill, and the dangerous chemicals remain in the soil, preventing healthy functioning. It is better to use alternative control methods for killing bamboo.