Will solarization, that is placing a clear plastic covering over the soil and allowing the sun to heat the soil, rid the area of this pest? If so, how high must the soil temperature rise and for how long?
Alternatively, I read of another small scale solarization technique I believe from university of California, for smaller amounts of weeds. That is, the weeds are placed in a black plastic garbage bag with a pull-close top. The top is closed and the bag is placed on a small elevated platform above the soil. Then willow twigs or small pipes are bent over the bag and a piece of clear plastic is "tented" over the bag. The temperatures evidently get high enough to kill weeds left for 6-7 days. Any experience or knowledge of this?

Reporter
April 19, 2012, 1:49 a.m.