Expert: Greg Simpson - 3/25/2007

Question
What natural substance which doesn't harm animals such as salt water can I use to disintegrate cholla cactus cuttings which my neighbor has put in his gravel driveway to deter animals? I have contacted the botanical garden in Arizona and they have not been any help.  There is a truckload of cholla cactus next to my yard and I would like to disintegrate it as best I can before it blows over into my yard.  I am very tired of cleaning up cholla cactus which ends up in my yard.  There must be a natural solution to this problem.  Please help.  

Answer
Lori,

Sorry for the delay in answering your question. I have been out of town and unable to access email.

There really isn't anything that I know of that will disintegrate cactus, dried up or otherwise. If it does dry up, it would be a significant fire hazard as well as attract termites. If you have an HOA, you might get them involved before something bad happens.

Hope this helps. Sincerely,

Greg