A young Aussie homeowner has revealed the “concrete” property nightmare that sparked a viral debate.
Karissa Hodge and her boyfriend moved from Brisbane and bought their first home in inner Melbourne last year for affordability.
The 23-year-old has spent weeks trying to uproot an invasive patch of bamboo that has already broken multiple tools.
The first-time home buyer’s struggle has become a viral sensation, with one TikTok video alone racking up more than 19 million views as users warn the plant is “unstoppable”.
“[I] didn’t expect bamboo to lead to such a hotly contested debate online and get over 19 million views,” Ms Hodge told News Corp Australia.
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A young Aussie homeowner has revealed the “concrete” property nightmare that sparked a viral debate. Picture: TikTok/kar.issaaa
The couple have spent weeks trying to uproot an invasive patch of bamboo that has already broken multiple tools. Picture: TikTok/kar.issaaa
In the most-viewed clip, social media users urged the couple to give up.
“You unfortunately will have to destroy the soil entirely, bamboo is unstoppable,” one person wrote.
“It’ll grow through a human body and that fact alone horrifies me.”
Another user added: “Never buy a house or land with bamboo, got it.”
The invasive species is notoriously hard to remove because it spreads via underground rhizomes.
These thick, woody root structures can extend metres from the visible stalks, making it almost impossible to kill by simply cutting it down.
The couple has spent about $100 on fixes that failed. Picture: TikTok/kar.issaaa
The struggle has become the subject of Ms Hodge’s TikTok videos. Picture: TikTok/kar.issaaa
On a tight budget, the couple were determined to remove the “concrete” roots themselves but the job has taken a physical toll.
“I’ve broken two hand shovels and a pick mattock so far and I’ve barely gotten any of the roots out,” Ms Hodge said.
“Lots of blisters and overall really tiring spending hours trying to remove it every weekend.”
The couple has spent about $100 on failed fixes so far.
Ms Hodge has issued a warning for other first-home buyers to look for “shoots” coming through the ground before they sign a contract.
“Ensure none of your neighbours have bamboo on their property as there is a risk it could cross property lines and affect you,” she said.
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