There have been tantalizing rumors ova the past few years about new hot-water based weed control technologies for controlling weeds in areas where complete vegetation removal is sought. Hot water can also be applied as a spot treatment for weeds in turf or cracks. Treated plants are unable to retain moisture, and dehydrate within hours or a few days.
Hot water kills new as well as mature plants.
Hot water technology offers many benefits over chemical herbicide applications, as it does not contaminate water, soil , or air, and it eliminates the potential for human or wildlife exposure to pesticide residues. Although herbicidal in effect, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has exempted the hot water technology from pesticide registration requirements. The smaller Waipuna machine has been available for lease in New Zealand for several years, and has been adopted for use by numerous New Zealand cities for weed control in parks, on school grounds, and more. Aqua Heat machines have been tested in citrus groves, vineyards, and corn fields in Michigan, California, and Florida, and along highway right of-way in California and Florida. While both of these machines have been shown at trade fairs and conferences and demonstrated in a few areas in the U.S., neither has yet become commercially available in this country.