Where can I get Sodium Chlorate?

Wow. Is that true? I've read the following which says that the "Sale, supply, storage and advertisement" of sodium chloride as an agricultural herbicide "is an offence unless specific approval has been granted for the substance to be marketed as a pesticide under an approved label." I'm not convinced that this means that it is illegal to use it to kill weeds on a path or driveway.

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=57
http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/uploadedfiles/Web_Assets/PSD/strychnine_Hydrochloride_Revocation.pdf


Go to Wilkinsons and get a bottle of Glyphosate.

Glyphosate is a systemic herbicide. It is not exactly a substitute for sodium chlorate, which works both systemically and residually. That is why Glyphosate, on its own, is not generally recommended as a path weed-killer.

The active ingredients in Pistol (glyphosate and diflufenican) are the same as the active ingredients in Pathclear.

 

I agree that Dai is correct about the definition of pesticide.

I'm yet to be convinced of the illegality of using NaCl to kill weeds. Inadvisable, perhaps. Illegal, however, is a different matter.

And in recommending glyphosate as a path weed-killer, he's wrong. Because glyphosate has no persistence in soil and does not inhibit germination, it is, used by itself, a poor path weed-killer.

 

In the U.K. Companies can’t legally spray a residue herbicide over the entire hard surface ie path or driveway but can spot spray.
While chemicals look the same there are variations of chemical used within the products to achieve better plant penetration, rain fast, lowering drift and even helping to achieve better results with hard water.
Many residue weed killers have strict guidance now and glyphosate does have a small window of residue and that alters depending on what product is used which is why all professional products must be used by someone that is trained with relevant certification or under supervision.

There is no law stopping anyone buying any of the products but the end user must be trained in accordance with the government guidelines. I have no issues treating weeds with glyphosate on paths as there are various methods.

most products with have detailed notes on dosage so it’s important to follow the guide as it will help to achieve the best results using the lowest amount of said herbicide.

 

Just seen the post date, why is the forum showing old posts?

 

I think you will find pretty much posts going back a very long way if you want to look for them.
I mean, at what point do you class a post as old and delete it?

 

In case anyone was still wondering whether there was an alternative, ammonium sulphamate can still be purchased but was banned by the EU as a herbicide. Unlike sodium chlorate which is an oxidiser, ammonium sulphamate is also used as flame retardant.