Herbicides require specific times and weather conditions in order to work. Furthermore, precise spraying techniques must be employed in order to distinguish between unwanted plants and desired ones.
Lawn care companies frequently utilize selective herbicides that target specific weeds while not harming grass, yet these have their own set of problems: 2,4-D or Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid is linked with salmon habitat contamination.
1. Chemicals are toxic
Roundup (glyphosate) weed killer is not only harmful to the environment but it may also pose significant health risks to humans. Glyphosate has been linked with cancer, birth defects and hormonal imbalances – all serious conditions that must be managed carefully.
Chemicals used for weed killing can leech into groundwater supplies and have lasting negative consequences. These chemicals could contaminate water supplies as well as endanger both wildlife and people alike.
Nonselective herbicides will kill or severely damage any plant they contact, including grass. Spraying them on windy days increases the risk of vapor drift, meaning other plants could also be negatively impacted – something especially prevalent during hot, dry conditions. Children and pets can be affected by direct contact with freshly applied weed killer, leading to eye irritation, skin issues or nausea as a result.
2. Weeds are a natural part of the ecosystem
Weeds may be annoying to gardeners, but they’re an essential component of nature’s ecosystem. While they compete with crops for nutrients and sunlight, weeds also attract pollinators that enrich soil conditions as well as being excellent compost sources.
Chemical weed killers can also pose risks for children and animals who play in the yard after spraying is completed, particularly 2,4-D (commonly referred to as glyphosate).
Systemic weed killers provide an ideal alternative to quick-acting granular weed and feed products, by targeting the roots of each individual weed to eliminate it completely. While systemic weed killers don’t poison soil like their residual counterparts do, their effect takes longer; also required is an extended waiting period prior to planting vegetables, flowers or turfgrass; which could range anywhere between days to weeks for each type.
3. Weeds are a source of food
Chemical weed killers (or herbicides) can be highly effective at eliminating unwanted plants when applied correctly; however, their use does not come without risks.
Many nonselective weed killers will damage desirable grass alongside the weeds they are supposed to kill, often leaving behind leaf burns and yellowing as evidence of injury. 2,4 Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D), found in many popular “weed and feed” products, can pose health hazards if consumed by animals like dogs and children alike.
Spraying weed killer can release harmful chemicals into the soil that seep out into nearby streams, lakes, rivers and oceans; furthermore they may impact trees and shrubs adversely; the long-term consequences can be catastrophic to our environment.
4. Weeds are a source of water for fish
Most weed killers are nonselective and will also damage desirable grass and flowers in addition to targeting unwanted ones, creating a major issue when spraying during hot, sunny weather; their chemicals have the tendency to migrate past weeds into lawn areas where they don’t belong.
Weed killers may also be consumed by pets or children and cause harmful side effects if taken in, with 2,4-D being particularly problematic as it has the ability to cause vomiting, diarrhea and headaches if swallowed.
Instead of opting for chemical sprays, work with your lawn care professional to develop an organic program that supports the healthy development of your landscape and promotes natural weed control methods. Implementing mulch applications, regular aeration sessions and soil health tests as part of this organic plan may reduce or even completely remove the need for harmful sprays.
5. Weeds are a source of habitat for birds
Many weed killers, like Roundup, contain glyphosate which has been declared carcinogenic. Relying on toxic chemicals to kill off weeds isn’t good for beneficial insects, birds, animals or the soil ecosystem which promotes healthy gardens.
Utilizing weed and feed can prevent grass seeds from germinating, rendering it less effective than pre- or post-emergent herbicides and potentially exposing your lawn to more harm from their application than necessary.
Overusing weed killers can have serious repercussions. Rain storms or snowfall may carry them away into rivers, streams, lakes, oceans and groundwater supplies, potentially impacting wildlife that relies on these bodies of water as well as groundwater supplies that feed drinking water supplies. Weed killers may also damage trees if applied too closely or during their growing period due to the tree roots spreading across lawns.