Weed killers work by disrupting cell structures of undesirable plants. For maximum effectiveness, use in early stages of growth is best.
Weed and feed products contain high concentrations of fast acting nitrogen that may erode soil over time. Furthermore, chemicals from weed killers may be absorbed through skin absorption or consumed by pets roaming treated lawns.
1. Weed Killers Aren’t Effective
Weed killers contain herbicides which have been linked with cancer, disruption of hormones, environmental destruction and killing off other plants in your yard – leaving brown spots where once there were green grass patches.
Even with pre-emergent or post-emergent weed killer, it may not kill all the weeds in your lawn at once; treatment cycles will likely be necessary.
Unfortunately, chemical weed killers have the potential to harm other plants in your yard, including grass. This is due to vapor drift and overuse – especially during windy days when more chemicals enter the environment – creating runoff pollution when it rains or snows; especially an issue in urban environments. If you want to use less chemical-based weed killers in your garden consider mulching beds and using organic methods/products instead.
2. They Can Damage Your Lawn
Though weed killers will temporarily get rid of any unwanted plants in your yard, they could also harm grass and other important vegetation in your garden, leading to an eventual dead lawn.
Traditional chemical weed killers contain glyphosate and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). 2,4-D can be dangerous to people, pets and wildlife and even cause liver damage.
Treating weeds effectively means employing non-toxic methods. Your local lawn care service should be able to identify which weeds exist in your yard and provide tailored solutions accordingly.
Homeowners should never attempt to apply commercial-strength weed killer themselves as it can often result in incorrect mixing, leading to too strong or nonworking solutions. Leave this task up to the professionals!
3. They Can Damage Your Plants
Weed killers can kill grass, flowers and other plants in your yard. This is particularly true of residual weed killers which penetrate to the roots of weeds to poison them from within, harming a lawn by killing its grass seedlings and leaving brown patches behind. To avoid such problems altogether, utilize another method of weed control.
Avoid using synthetic and chemical herbicides by opting for organic or natural options which quickly breakdown in the soil, instead. These types of products are safer for both animals and plants alike. When applying any type of weed killer, please read and follow its manufacturer’s instructions; to be effective it’s wise to apply two applications every year at two month intervals.
4. They Can Damage Your Pets
Chemical weed killers can be hazardous for pets. If your dog gets close enough, its chemicals can penetrate its skin and enter its system, potentially causing vomiting, dehydration and even skin problems; or worse yet kidney or bladder cancer in extreme cases.
After applying weed control, it is vital that pets remain off of the lawn for several hours post application. Your professional lawn service should leave a sign instructing both you and your animals to wait until all has dried completely before entering.
Due to vapor drift, some weed killers may affect nearby plants even though you only applied them directly on weeds, particularly during hot and windy conditions. This phenomenon is especially apparent when applied near other flora.
5. They Can Damage Your Children
Weed killers contain toxic chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled. Children and pets who play on lawns treated with weed killer are at risk of accidentally touching and inhaling its spray, leading them to experience nausea, vomiting or even coma if inhaled too deeply.
When applying herbicides, it’s essential to follow the label instructions on application times and weather conditions, while keeping children and pets away until it has “watered in”, meaning it has taken root in grass or soil via rainfall or irrigation.
While a strong, healthy lawn is the best way to fight weeds, lawn care companies also offer services that may eliminate or reduce spraying as well as future treatments.