The Tongs of Death - Wild Ones

a voicefor the naturallandscapingmovementN A T I V E P L A N T S , N A T U R A L L A N D S C A P E SReprinted from theWild Ones Journal,September/October2002 issue.For more information, or to joinWild Ones Natural Landscapers,here’s how to reach us:Phone(920) 730-3986(877) 394-3954 (Toll-Free)MailP.O. Box 1274Appleton, Wisconsin 54912-1274E-MailExecDirector@for-wild.orgWeb Sitewww.for-wild.orgThe membership fee is just $30per year – and it’s tax-deductible.Celebrating 25 yearsrestoring native plantsand natural landscapes.For Killing Weeds:The Tongs of DeathSteve Maassen Announcesthe New, Improved L-O-N-G Tongs of DeathIn the January/February, 1998 issue of theJournal, Steve Maassen, member of the FoxValley (WI) Chapter and currently on thenational Board of Directors, introduced his“invention,” the Tongs of Death,” an easy-tomaketool that users could dip into a solutionof Roundup or other herbicide and apply tovarious weeds. It was easier to use than the“gloves of death” (cotton gloves worn overrubber gloves, dipped into a Roundupsolution, and used to kill individualweeds while not harming the neighboring“good” plants).Now Steve is thrilled to announcethe even better, easier-to-use LONGTongs of Death which, according toSteve, “allows you to ‘tong’ with lessbending over.”The original version (which stillcomes in handy) was made from a stainlesssteel, scalloped, 9-inch Ecko kitchen saladtongs and a plastic-backed paint pad. Toassemble the Tongs of Death, cut two small,tapered pieces from the paint paid and fitthem onto the last inch of each of the “gripper”ends of the tongs. Fold the last three scallopsover the pad to hold it, then flatten theopposing ends so the pads meet squarely.To use, simply dip the paint pads into asolution of Roundup appropriate for your particularweed removal project and close themaround the undesirable plant. The Long Tongscan use a more concentrated Roundup solution,typically around 15%, which allows youto “tong” only a few leaves and kill the wholeplant. The pads hold enough liquid to treatabout 10 plants between dips.It’s only slightly more complicated to buildthe Long Tongs of Death. First purchase anE-Z Reacher and then replace the rubber cupswith sponge paint pads. You can use it likethis by dipping the pads into a Roundup solution,or you can make a self-wetting LongTongs of Death.You will need some plastic tubing connectedto the type of needle normally used tofill footballs, basketballs and soccer balls. Theneedle is inserted into one of the plastic padsand connected to a syringe at the top by someThe Tongs of Death,designed by Wild Onesmember Steve MaassenEasy and inexpensive tomake – and very effectivein controlling those peskyweeds.plastic tubing. Be sure to wrap the tubingaround the shaft a few times to keep the liquidseal in the syringe. If air can easily reach thesyringes, too much herbicide will flow outthrough the sponge. The syringe is fastened tothe E-Z Gripper handle; cable ties work well tohold the parts together. (Suitable syringes canbe found at stores which sell large animalssupplies and medicines; 60 cc is a good size.)Continued on page 2.

N ATIVE P LANTS, NATURAL L ANDSCAPESContinued from page 1.To fill, dip the sponge end into the herbicide and use thesyringe to “suck” the herbicide up through the sponge. Herbicide isstored in the syringe and tubing. Push the plunger to re-wet thesponge as needed.You can store the Long Tongs of Death without rinsing by puttingthe sponges inside a plastic cup, which you can make by cutting offthe top one third of a 16-ounce soda pop bottle. Steve says thatneither the tubing nor the sponges will plug up, at least with aRoundup solution, and it’s easy to get the Long Tongs of Death outto use again. (Of course, the Long Tongs of Death must be storedsafely, out of the reach of children and pets. And they should beclearly marked “POISON.”)Necessity really is the mother of invention. wThe Tongs of Death shown in schematic view.Steve Maassen is the Director of Seeds for Education Grant Program andCoordinator of the Fox Valley Area Chapter Seeds for Education Committee.He is a member of the Fox Valley Area (WI) Chapter.Wild Ones Natural LandscapersP.O. Box 1274 • Appleton, Wisconsin 54912-1274 • www.for-wild.orgReprinted from the Wild Ones Journal, September/October 2002 issue.