Weeds can be more than an eyesore; they can strangle healthy grass as well. A great lawn care service provider should perform routine aeration and overseeding to prevent weeds from taking over.
However, certain weeds such as nutsedge require special weed control plans with chemical herbicides – this begs the question: Should I use weed killer on my lawn?
1. Weed Killers are Hazardous
Weed killers may provide quick relief from unsightly plants in your yard, but they also pose serious threats to both the environment and people.
Spraying weed killer can expose you to toxic chemical residue that could potentially harm you or the skin of children and pets who play in the grass. Direct skin contact may cause mild to severe reactions; while ingestion may result in stomach upset and other serious reactions.
Many weed killers contain 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, which is considered toxic for both humans and the environment. Roundup is one such popular lawn care herbicide containing this compound.
Keep in mind that granular herbicides should only be applied when grass is damp and has not been watered for 48 hours, to help the weed killer adhere to weed leaves and prevent it from washing away before it can penetrate into the plant. The same principle holds true with liquid herbicides.
2. Weed Killers Are Not Effective
Weed killers are chemical-based liquids designed specifically to tackle specific weeding tasks. When selected to match the task and applied appropriately, they can be highly effective.
But weeds are intelligent and adaptable, sucking up resources faster and spreading further than grass does, making them difficult to eradicate. With proper lawn care practices such as regular mowing, aeration and soil testing you can help combat most weeds before they take hold.
For persistent weeds such as dandelions, poison ivy or ragweed that continue to proliferate in your garden, systemic herbicides may provide the answer. These products work by targeting each weed’s internal systems while still leaving surrounding grass undisturbed.
For optimal results, choose a warm day for spraying to ensure the product is evenly absorbed and distributed across treated areas. Wait at least 24 hours after treatment has occurred before walking on them as this could transfer weed killer onto other desirable plants and it’s essential that you read product label instructions regarding application of your chosen solution.
3. Weed Killers Are Not Cheap
Weed killers are chemical-based liquids designed specifically to tackle specific weeding tasks. When chosen carefully and used with care, weed killers can produce excellent results.
However, they are expensive and add up over time. There are non-chemical solutions to weed killers which may help achieve similar results without jeopardizing health or safety concerns.
An increasingly thicker and healthier lawn naturally shaded weed seeds and prevented them from germinating, thus decreasing the need for weed spraying altogether.
If you decide to use weed killer, choose one that is non-toxic for use around children, pets and beneficial plants. Also follow application instructions carefully – only spray when air temperatures fall below 85 degrees Fahrenheit for best results. Adding a surfactant can increase absorption for an increased return – find one at Gertens!
4. Weed Killers Are Not Easy to Use
Weed killers do not differentiate between valuable landscape plants and grass when applying a weed killer spray, potentially endangering both. Many post-emergent herbicides such as Roundup contain glyphosate which kills any plant it touches and thus, should they come into contact with an ornamental shrub, it will kill both.
Some contact sprays kill weeds quickly while others take days. If speed is an important consideration, look for products which start showing results within hours.
Some weed killers work by targeting the weed’s cell structure and denying it access to nourishment, thus leading to its death due to lack of nourishment. Meanwhile, other solutions disrupt photosynthesis.
When it comes to children or pets, finding a weed killer that is safe is of utmost importance. Vinegar offers one such alternative that works effectively on driveways and sidewalks without staining bricks or concrete surfaces – just be sure to wait 48 hours after spraying before letting kids or animals come near it in order to prevent ingestion of any weed killer by them!