How to get rid of weeds without harming birds'?

I have a gravel path about 3 metres wide and 15 metres long, about 2.5 metres directly below my back deck. Unfortunately, I have allowed it to become horribly overgrown. I want to get it cleared up. I can use the line trimmer to get it down, but can anyone suggest ways of getting rid of the roots.



I would normally use something like Zero or Roundup, but I am concerned because lots of seeds fall from my bird feeders on the deck, and are eaten by birds too timorous to come up to the deck. Pulling out the weeds by hand is not an option due to severe arthritis. I wondered if boiling water would work, but I gather that's only useful for small numbers of weeds.



Would the poison harm the birds, and, if so, can I have suggestions, please.

How to get rid of weeds without harming birds'?
i'm jealous that you have a weed problem in January! :-\
Reply:Hell I never would have thought of boiling water
Reply:Use a propane torch on the weeds after you have trimmed the tops off.
Reply:i would use roundup, maybe apply it before dark, sweep the area of seed as best you can
Reply:Any poison harms you, me, the birds and the environment.



I get rid of weeds on my hands and knees.



Seeing that you have arthritis, maybe you have a niece, nephew, son or daughter who likes to play video games too much, and would be useful for this purpose.



Remember, we save our lives and the environment by doing the right thing.
Reply:recycle your newspapers! gather up about a months worth of newspapers and spread about 7-10 sheets thick on top of the weeds you are trying to kill. they won't get sunlight so their roots will shrivel up and die. plus it's pesticide free, bird friendly, and earth friendly and you don't have to go dumping a ton of toxins into the water table. you could also go get the black weed screen but this is free and it's recycling! good luck with the weed problem!
Reply:use straight white vinegar in a squirt bottle and use it like round up. Honest, it kills weeds and will not hurt wildlife.
Reply:table salt



cut the weeds put salt on the remains.



No harm to animals
Reply:Both vinegar and boiling water work as well as Roundup. They are also cheaper and safer. I've had great luck with boiling water but it is a nuisance for a large area.Vinegar works well and washes out of the soil faster than salt.
Reply:See the Natural Way.
Reply:YES TEACH THE BIRDS TO DO YOUR GARDENING WORK. THIS WILL ACCOMPLISH TWO THINGS. IT WILL GET RID YOU OF YOUR UNSIGHTLY WEEDS AND ALSO GIVE THE BIRDS A REAL SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT.
Reply:Use Roundup, nobody cares if your birds die. jk. can u move the bird feeders until its cleared up?