Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for directing steam, hot water or hot water vapor and hot air onto a target area, the apparatus comprising a water container and a fuel container connected and supplying water and fuel to an applicator wand with an applicator head which generates steam and heat for application adjacent to the target area of application to the unwanted vegetation. Steam is generated immediately adjacent to the target area within the applicator head and combined with surplus heat from the steam generation process to produce heated steam and water vapor for application to the target area. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the applicator wand is hand held, the applicator head having an inlet, an outlet and a body therebetween, the water and fuel being supplied to a steam generator and burner within the body of the applicator head which generates steam and hot air adjacent to the target area for application through the outlet to the target area.