Mares tail invasion

[emdeebee]

Does anyone have anything close to a fail safe method of removing / killing off this dreadful weed. From my research so far, there seems to be nothing which can be guaranteed. My specific problem is that the invasion seems to arisen from 'temporary' asphalt paving the other side of my brick front wall. The weed has no problem penetrating the asphalt and the infestation has spread under the brick wall foundation and across the soft area of the garden and into the block paved drive beyond, so, even if I was able to dig up the root system (which apparently can go as deep as 2 metres) it could still regenerate from either paved area.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

It is a real bugger, like you say deep roots and grows through just about anything. Best bet is systemic poison wherever and whenever you see it, but I wouldn't call it 'fail safe', it really is persistent stuff