I've just noticed this morning that one of the bushes in my next door neighbour's garden has the beginnings of a bindweed growth. Fortunately it's on the far side of his garden furthest away from my fence, but if it ever spread to my side of his garden it would easily spread via the underground tuber rooting system into my garden. My garden is covered entirely by patio slabs but a couple of times a year I have to call in a gardening contractor with a strimmer to clear the tough growth that comes up under the fence from my neighbour's garden.
I've just checked online and the only way to eradicate this weed is to remove every possible trace of the plant and to apply a very strong weedkiller that not only kills everything growing that it touches but is also known to cause cancer and has aparrently been banned in some localities for this very reason (haven't checked with my local authority yet).
What's the best way to drop a hint to my neighbour that he has the beginnings of a big problem in his garden? The garden is very densely planted - the previous occupant being a keen gardener - and the bindweed growth is right in the middle of a very thick bush. It would really be a major job to get at the bindweed in its entirity and could possible entail total removal of one of the biggest bushes in his garden.
The main problem - and please don't laugh at this - is that I have a totally illogical fear of bindweed and absolutely refuse to touch it in any shape, size or form. I can't explain this illogical fear but I'd honestly rather have spiders crawling all over me than to touch bindweed (even with gloves on) - and I absolutely loathe spiders!
If the bindweed were ever to spread over into my garden and become established, I'd honestly think of moving house to get away from this horrible irrational fear.
Can anyone offer a solution to this potential problem, before I have to start contacting eastate agents?