Newts and weedkiller

Hi everyone I have a question, just started a new garden and found newts within a rock wall that is overgrown with weeds, I've pulled out what I can but the roots go deeper under rocks. The customer wants to use weedkiller on there but only if its safe for newts, any suggestions

 

Taking it that there is an adjacent pond to the wall i wouldn't put any weedkiller on it whatsoever (it would be toxic to everything in the pond) and finish the newts.
But, if the wall is well away from the pond you could apply it very carefully to the specific weeds. You'd need to let them grow again first in order for the foliage to absorb the glyphosate and systemic action through to the roots.
Once the herbicide has dried onto the weed leaves it shouldn't pose a problem.
But caution is required here because herbicides are so deadly.

 

Thanks for that, the pond is actually about 20 metres away, I'll do as you say and let them grow again before treating the leaves carefully

 

Its getting a bit late for Glyphosate to work well now.

Could be better left until next spring, especially as you have pulled out some of it, presumably leaving the roots behind.

Not sure, but dont newts return to the pond for the winter?
Also not sure at what point they leave the pond in spring?

Might be worth finding out, then maybe you could spray next spring before the newt emerge.

Just an idea.

 

As a rule newts hiberate from October to late March staying on land and under leaf litter or small hollows that are frost free. Very rarely do they hibernate in ponds during the winter.
If they are Crested newts (almost black and warty) they are protected by law.

 

Not great crested by the looks of this little fella

 

So when are they actually in ponds?

 

Was mainly thistle, dandelions and geranium