Weeds 3 feet tall? Don\u2019t want to douse your yard with poisonous weed killers? More and more people are renting goats with voracious appetites to do the dirty work cleanly. We\u2019ll tell you what you need to know about renting goats to clear brush and unwanted plants from your property.<\/p>
Three words: Goats are voracious. They are born vegetarians and are not picky. They eat virtually everything in their path \u2013 grass, shrubs, weeds, vines and small trees, even poisonous plants if you let them. A couple of dozen goats can clear a half acre of brush and weeds in a few days.<\/p>
Goats do not eliminate weeds completely, however. Instead, they chew weeds down to nubs so you can regain control of your yard. The weeds will grow back, but goats get you to a manageable starting point so you can deal with the weeds using more conventional methods, whether it\u2019s mowing or applying herbicides<\/a>.<\/p> Sure, you can apply gallons of herbicides or rent a bush hog, but there are downsides to both. Herbicides can be toxic to good plants, and goats are able to get to hard-to-reach places that a bush hog can\u2019t.<\/p> When Jeanne Kaplan of Indianapolis inherited her mother\u2019s home, it was \u201coverwhelmed with weeds,\u201d she said. Kaplan didn\u2019t want to spray a bunch of weedkillers on the yard but instead was looking for <\/strong>a natural, biological weed-control method. <\/p> She recalled that her mom liked goats and often talked about having them on the property.<\/p> \u201cI saw a story about goats being used in parks,\u201d Kaplan said. \u201cI didn\u2019t want to spray because of the dogs. And I have toads in the yard, and the spray could kill toads.\u201d The weeds were so high and dense that mowing was not an option.<\/p> So Kaplan turned to Goats on the Go.<\/p> Indianapolis\u2019 Goats on the Go<\/a> co-owner Kaitlin Hossom visited Kaplan\u2019s property to determine logistics and provide a cost estimate. She also scouted for plants that would be toxic to the goats. On weed clean-up day, <\/strong>Hossom delivered the <\/strong>goats in a trailer and penned them in an area encircled by a solar-powered, portable electric fence. The fence was laid out to keep the goats focused on the trouble spots but also to keep them away from toxic plants, such as yews. The 26 goats spent less than two days in Kaplan\u2019s back yard, and gnawed the weeds down to nubs.<\/p> Renting goats for weed control is a little more involved than just placing an order online. Here are some things you should expect:<\/p> Renting goats isn\u2019t a one-size-fits-all solution to clearing property. There are some things to consider:<\/p> Goat rental costs $400 to $800 an acre<\/strong>, depending on the size and configuration of the property and types of plants. By contrast a lawn care professional will charge $1,000 or more per acre to clear thick brush<\/p> Both of those options are considerably more expensive than a DIY application of a weed-killing herbicide<\/a>, such as a ready-to-use glyphosate, which costs $25 to $30 a gallon.<\/p> Clearing dense brush and weeds from your property can be a daunting task – goats or no goats. If you\u2019d prefer to rely on a company with expertise in the area, call a Lawn Love <\/em>lawn care professional<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p> One woman\u2019s experience<\/span><\/h3>
What to expect<\/span><\/h2>
Things to consider before renting<\/span><\/h2>
The cost of renting<\/span><\/h2>
The final word<\/span><\/h2>