Is Round-up weed control, safe to use around and under hives?
The main active ingredient of Roundup is the isopropylamine salt of glyphosate. Another important ingredient of Roundup is the surfactant POEA (polyethoxylated tallow amine), which is known for its toxicity in wildlife.[6] It increases herbicide penetration in plant[7] and animal[8][9] cells.
Old piece of carpet under the hives work good..
it's better for grass control than weed control. it's best used when the bees are not flying.
it also won't last the whole season, so right around the hives i think some kind of cover like the carpet is better. if you use it other places, and i do, make sure you don't spray stuff that the bees will get on, and try to do it when the bees are not flying so that it dries before they are out.
The problem is, whether or not you want to use it chemical wise, is that the weeds that come back tend to be even worse than the ones you got rid of. If you use it, take Kathyp's precautions and after two weeks plant a dense low growing ground cover like white clover that won't need any trimming. Carpet or shingles work great for some people, I have had trouble with ants moving in under it and then harassing the hive. I guess it depends what kind of ants live in your area.
JC
Roundup has no effect on bees unless you spray it directly on them. We use it, it works. No harm to our bees. Our honey is tested by the buyers, no residual chems in the honey. Spray on a sunny day when no rain is forecast.