A few years back, I laid down some pavers, but I've been having trouble with weeds growing through the cracks—especially after trying sand and a black weed barrier. I just spent ages pulling out the weeds, but now I've got some really gross springtails living under the pavers and even under my outdoor rug! I haven't tackled cleaning under the rug yet. So, what alternative materials can I use in the cracks to stop bugs and weeds from coming back, aside from sand and gravel?
4 Answers
You might want to try polymeric sand! It’s specifically designed to harden and help keep weeds at bay. There’s even a version labeled as weed blocker, which could be perfect for your situation.
One method I use is to run a string trimmer around my pavers after mowing. It keeps them looking nice! If it gets really bad, I might hit it with Roundup, but I generally try to stick to less harsh methods. Also, if you ditch the rugs, that could help reduce the bugs too.
Every year, I use a blow torch to deal with the weeds! Not sure how effective it is against springtails, but it completely burns away the weeds. Just be careful while you’re doing it!
First, power wash to clear the cracks, then reapply polymeric sand according to the instructions. It can give you a solid barrier and should help prevent future weed and bug problems.