Makita strimmer?

[byvirtue]

My nettles are out of control around my orchard. We have other makita battery operated tools so was thinking a makita battery powered strimmer might be a good option? Has anyone used one on nettles and would recommend?

Screwfix has reviews on dewalt strimmers which mention nettles but I would rather stick with the makita system now we have it.

We have one and DH destroys our half acre garden full of long grass and massive weeds regularly. Don't have nettles in this country but we destroy morning glory, artichoke, calla Lillie's, moth plant, irises etc with ours which are significantly more robust than a standard UK nettle.

If the nettles are large you may be better off using a brush cutter. Otherwise the thicker stems may end up breaking the line regularly, which is just frustrating.

If you do strim the nettles be sure to cover up completely. My husband attacked our out of control nettle patch with a petrol strimmer and got quite badly stung by flying leaves and stalks. Incidentally, he eventually had to resort to digging the whole area over and removing the rhizomes. Strimming seemed to encourage the growth.

I’ve just mentioned this thread to my husband because I knew he had been looking at a Makita battery strimmer to replace the petrol one. He said that the ones with the single battery probably wouldn’t be up to the job if the nettles are established and it would be better to go for the bigger one with two batteries.

I saw brush cutters mentioned presume they have a blade rather than a line is that right? I don’t understand all the techy side of these tools, just want one that can do the job!

I’m a beekeeper so would suit up around the hives but useful to know elsewhere!

we have acres of nettles where they have grown wild. I’m gradually pulling them up but it will take a lifetime! I’m not poisoning them so need something to hack them back several times a year!

Thanks for asking the husband (mine is clueless!) think probably paying more upfront might be worth it rather than the inevitable upgrade when the cheaper one isn’t up to the job!

You should be fine doing nettles with that if they are not too big. Once the steps get woody you will just snap the line and would be better with a brush cutter with a blade. They are significantly more expensive though so just keeping on top of it regularly with the lightweight one would be the best plan.

I’m a beekeeper so would suit up around the hives but useful to know elsewhere

Is your suit white? The shredded nettles stain everything green.

I’m gradually pulling them up but it will take a lifetime!

My husband tried that. Each one pulled up by the stem. He said it was therapeutic, but it doesn’t work! They grow back thicker than ever.