Weed Management

Strategic control of invasive weeds using chemical, mechanical, and manual methods tailored to each site.

Weed management is a key component of maintaining healthy ecosystems, especially in areas prone to invasive species. It involves a combination of strategies to control or eradicate unwanted plants that may outcompete native species, alter habitats, or negatively impact biodiversity

Integrated Weed Management Services

Aust Care offer a coordinated and comprehensive approach to weed management tailored to the unique requirements of each site. Our experienced team delivers end-to-end services including weed mapping, strategic planning, and the implementation of targeted eradication programs.

With a fleet of Fourteen dedicated spray vehicles—Eight equipped with Twin Reel 600L QuikSpray units—we are well-resourced to effectively and efficiently manage pest plant infestations across diverse terrain and vegetation types.

Since our inception, we have played a critical role in protecting and maintaining natural assets through best-practice weed control. Our approach combines industry-leading chemical and mechanical methods, selected based on target species, seasonal conditions, regulatory requirements, and site-specific constraints such as access and environmental sensitivity.

Aust Care also own and operate two lightweight aluminium flat-bottom watercraft, enabling safe and effective treatment of aquatic weeds in wetlands, rivers, and other water bodies.

All pest plant control operators are fully licensed in chemical and machinery use, in accordance with state and federal regulations. Our team undergoes regular training and assessment in chemical safety, equipment handling, and accurate identification of both pest and native flora.

Weed management is a key component of maintaining healthy ecosystems, especially in areas prone to invasive species. It involves a combination of strategies to control or eradicate unwanted plants that may outcompete native species, alter habitats, or negatively impact biodiversity.

Specialist in Weed Control

Weed Control Methods

Effective weed control requires an integrated approach, tailored to the specific site conditions, target weed species, and environmental sensitivities. Our team applies best practice methods to deliver sustainable, long-term solutions. In addition to targeted herbicide application, we utilise a diverse range of equipment and specialised attachments designed to operate on difficult terrain and steep slopes, ensuring access and efficacy across even the most challenging sites.

Mechanical Control

We utilise a comprehensive range of equipment and specialised attachments suitable for all aspects of weed management, enabling us to adapt to a wide variety of site conditions and treatment requirements.

This method involves the physical removal of weeds using a range of specialised equipment suited to the site and vegetation type. Our fleet includes slashers, brush cutters, and hoes, as well as heavy machinery for more demanding applications. We operate excavators with flail mower attachments, tracked ASV units equipped with heavy-duty mulching heads, and a variety of robust slasher decks including the Toro 62″ and 72″ mower decks, Razorback mowers, and the Toro 1000 front-mounted slasher. These tools enable efficient vegetation reduction across diverse and challenging terrain.

Chemical Control

We use a variety of herbicides, selected and applied based on target species, growth stage, and site characteristics. Applications include both pre-emergent herbicides to prevent germination and post-emergent herbicides for active infestations. All treatments are conducted with care to minimise off-target impacts and are compliant with relevant environmental and safety standards.

Hand Weeding for Sensitive Areas

For smaller or isolated infestations, manual removal—such as hand-pulling—is often used, particularly in areas where machinery access is limited or undesirable.
In high-value conservation zones, revegetation sites, or areas containing threatened flora, hand weeding is often the most appropriate control method. This precise, low-impact approach allows for selective removal of invasive species without disturbing surrounding native vegetation.

Woody Weed Treatment

Woody weeds such as lantana, blackberry, and African boxthorn require specialised treatment methods to ensure effective control and prevent regrowth. We employ a combination of techniques including cut-and-paint, drill-and-fill, basal bark application, and targeted foliar spraying, depending on the species, growth stage, and site conditions.

For large-scale infestations, we utilise high-capacity mulching machines to rapidly reduce biomass and create manageable access for follow-up treatment and revegetation. This mechanical approach is highly effective in clearing dense thickets while minimising soil disturbance.

Mulching

The application of mulch helps suppress weed growth by limiting sunlight penetration and creating a physical barrier to seed germination. It also improves soil moisture retention and supports healthy plant establishment in revegetation zones.