A herbicide is a substance that kills plants. Herbicides - also known as weed killers - are used to control the growth of undesirable plants in gardens, on farms, and throughout all sorts of other environments.

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Weeds in the garden are a pain, but weeds in public places can be downright dangerous. It's important for councils to stay on top of their weeds - not only is it unsightly when weeds start sprouting up through the cracks in the pavement, it's also a potential trip hazard.

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The line between 'good plants' and 'weeds' is often very blurred. Some plants may be considered weeds in some gardens, and welcome guests in others; it all depends on whose garden you're looking at. Of course, while there are no hard and fast rules, there are plants that are (more or less) universally considered 'pests' or 'problematic' - take Japanese knotweed for example. These tend to be the weeds we look out for when we do a survey of your garden! If you'd like to find out what makes a plant a weed, just keep reading.

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There are a lot of reasons why you shouldn't let weeds get out of control on your commercial property. Weeds that have grown wild will make your business look unprofessional and, in some circumstances, can even give the impression that you're no longer in business. That being said, the appearance of overgrown weeds is the least of your problems. Overgrown weeds can become a health and safety risk for employees and customers, so it's important that you tackle them as soon as they start to appear. 

Overgrown weeds are a trip hazard

One of the biggest health and safety concerns associated with overgrown weeds is the possibility of a trip or fall. Some weeds, like brambles, have long branches that can quickly tangle and become a trip hazard. Other weeds that grow thick and close to the ground, like moss, can become slippery and cause people to fall and injure themselves. 

These types of weeds can crop up anywhere around your commercial premises but are most likely to pose a health and safety risk in car parks and on walkways where footfall is the highest. 

We are aware that some commercial properties have been left empty for several months now due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. If you're planning to have employees and customers return to the workplace over the next few months, we'd highly recommend enquiring about our weed, shrub, and bramble clearing services.

Dead/dry weeds are a fire hazard

During the summer months, overgrown weeds can die back and dry out completely. This dry vegetation can be a fire hazard if it's left untreated. Thankfully, here in the UK, we don't suffer from wildfires like other countries in the world, but that doesn't mean that there's absolutely no risk of an outdoor fire on your premises.

A carelessly dropped cigarette, faulty electrical equipment or flammable liquids spilt in the area can all turn into a fire on your premises in a split second. The best way to eliminate the possibility of a fire is to remove the dried weeds as quickly as possible!

Thick patches of weeds attract pests

Overgrown weeds also become a health and safety concern when they start to attract pests like mice, rats and insects. Many of the pests that usually live amongst overgrown weeds carry diseases. This can become a serious problem, especially if your business serves food to the public. 

If you do notice that weeds on your property are getting out of hand and starting to attract pests, we'd urge you to get in touch right away. You don't want to be left with a lawn suit on your hands because you didn't take reasonable steps to deal with the overgrown weeds on your property.

So, to answer the question - are overgrown weeds a health and safety risk? The answer is yes! It's clear to see how overgrown weeds can pose a range of different health and safety risks. If you feel that the weeds on your property are getting out of hand, it's important you take steps to deal with them before a serious incident occurs. Request a FREE Survey.

Grounds Maintenance >          Weed, Shrub, and Bramble Clearance >

You might be surprised to read this, but artificial grass is not immune to weeds. True, a fake lawn requires less maintenance than a real one, but going artificial doesn't necessarily mean that you'll never have to worry about weeds again.

As a general rule, you will only ever notice weeds growing around the edge of your artificial lawn, although it is possible for weeds to push through from beneath - especially if your fake grass was installed without a weed-resistant membrane.

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