Copper definitely seems to outperform zinc, at least in my experience—especially in our humid climate. I did try that bleach trick once on a stubborn patch, but I was worried about runoff into my garden beds. If you go that route, I’d recommend covering any plants below and rinsing pretty quick after. As for Atlas’ warranty, it’s a bit murky... I think they say not to use harsh chemicals, but it’s not super clear what counts as “harsh.” Maybe worth double-checking before spraying too much.
I get what you mean about copper, but I’ve actually had better luck with zinc strips on my last place—maybe it’s just the way the rain hits my roof? About the bleach, though,
—same here. I switched to a diluted vinegar mix instead. Not sure if Atlas would count that as “harsh,” but it seemed gentler on everything below. Anyone else tried something besides bleach or metals?“I was worried about runoff into my garden beds.”
I get what you mean about copper, but I’ve actually had better luck with zinc strips on my last place—maybe it’s just the way the rain hits my roof? About the bleach, though, —same here.
I wouldn’t call vinegar “harsh,” but I’ve read it can still lower soil pH if you use it a lot. For me, dish soap and water (the blue stuff, not antibacterial) did the trick on shaded spots. No dead plants, at least so far.
For me, dish soap and water (the blue stuff, not antibacterial) did the trick on shaded spots. No dead plants, at least so far.
Funny enough, I tried that mix on my north-facing slope last spring—worked better than I expected, though I had to reapply after a few heavy rains. I’m with you on vinegar, too... it’s mild but sneaky if you overdo it near the garden beds.
I’ve had mixed results with the dish soap trick, especially on the north side where it gets almost zero sun. It’s cheap, though, and honestly I’d rather reapply after rain than risk using harsh chemicals near my perennials. Vinegar scares me a bit—killed a patch of grass once when I got sloppy. For me, a soft brush and some elbow grease helps loosen the stubborn stuff before spraying. Not glamorous, but it keeps costs down and plants alive.