Carrboro is testing the equipment to implement the town's least toxic Integrated Pest Management policy, adopted in March 1999. The policy calls for phasing out use of conventional pesticides, including herbicides, on town property, but does not apply to the local residents, their property or businesses. City leaders hope to show how beautiful grounds can be achieved without poisoning the environment. To date, efforts to reduce pesticide use have emphasized alternatives to conventional herbicides. An earlier analysis of Carrboro's pest management practices showed that more pesticides were used on weeds than for any other purpose.
Weeds are a problem around buildings and parking lots, along curbs and gutters and in parks.
The town is using a comprehensive approach, rather seeking a single solution, including a biodegradable herbicide made from corn gluten, propane flamers which kill plants by singing them, thick mulch on plant beds to smother weeds, and now hot water. The machine in use in Carrboro produces a steady stream of near- boiling water that kills weeds by melting the waxy outer coating of their leaves. The flow of water is low and cools quickly. While the results look very much like that of a contact herbicide, there is no toxic residue and the area is immediately safe for play. We want to find ways to reduce pesticide use so that we can eliminate the risk of any child being poisoned.