Organic Moss & Algae Killer

Acetic Acid

• Acids occur in nature and some of these natural acids, like acetic acid, are capable of annihilating bryophytes. Bryophytes are primitive plants that lack a vascular system. They rely on aqueous environments to complete their life cycles and to survive. Moss is a mass of bryophytes. The threadlike plants cluster together where conditions are moist. Unlike other plants, they do not rely on fertile soil for growth and are able to thrive where turf and other plants find it difficult. Acetic acid, such as that found in horticultural vinegar and kitchen vinegar, kills back moss. Algae, another non-vascular primitive plant is also negatively affected by acetic acid. Though vinegar seems like a safe substance, some vinegars with acetic acid content higher than 11 percent can cause burns and injury to those handling the substance without gloves. Take proper precautions and be aware that vinegar does not discriminate. It kills grass, weeds and flowers as well as moss and algae.

Oils

• Oils repel moisture. They also seal porous surfaces. Once moss or algae are coated with oil, the moss and algae will die. Organic, natural oils, like clove and mineral oil, are effective in reducing moss growth.

Other

• Organic moss and algae killers include more than one oil or acid. Commercially sold moss and algae killer ingredients include clove oil, mineral oil, acetic acid, citric acid and salts. Be aware that even non-organic chemical moss killers are not 100 percent effective against moss and algae. Moss and algae grow because conditions are suited for their development. Any anti-moss and algae application requires additional prevention to effectively control moss growth.

Additional Prevention

• Moss prevention methods include draining sodden ground, thinning overstory branches to allow sunlight to penetrate ground covers and improving soil fertility to promote healthy turf. Algae thrives on sunlight, making overhead branch thinning unnecessary. In moist, sunny areas with algae growth improve soil fertility and drainage to encourage healthy turf.