Keep Your Pets Safe!
Use Only Pet and Human Friendly Herbicides to
Kill Those Persistent Weeds

If you’re a pet owner,
you’re going to have to ask yourself at some point is how important is it having a completely weed-free lawn?
If you don't mind a few
stray dandelions or a mallow patch here or there, you may not even need to
spray for weeds. Good old fashion elbow grease may do the trick. If you are persistent about pulling or mowing weeds, they eventually stop growing or at least decrease in population.
If you have a typical
yard and not a high maintenance ‘show yard’, you may be able to keep weeds at
bay just pulling them out of the lawn and placing mulch in your plants beds to
prevent future weeds from growing.
There are those low growing weeds that are a pain to pull and you just need a bit of help to get rid of them. For me, the worst are sand burs and thistle.
Gardeners Who Won't Pull Weeds
So, you absolutely hate pulling
weeds, you have animals and you want an alternative to getting on your knees
and giving the ol’ heave hoe. I would first recommend a good dousing of boiling water or full strength vinegar. Both will kill most weeds.
The only downfall to
using boiling hot water and vinegar is that it can also kill desirable grass
and flowers growing around the weed. Some people will add a bit of dish soap to the boiling water or vinegar so that it will be a bit thicker and not spread as much. I really don't think it works.
Get an old coffee pot or pitcher from Salvation Army or your local thrift store
to use only for gardening.
Always be very careful while pouring the boiling hot water and what type
of vessel you’re using. I recommend a pitcher or a pan with a lip on it so
you’ll have better aim. I have an old aluminum pitcher from the 40’s that I
use. Any good spray bottle will work with vinegar.
If your lawn has a lot of
tough weeds like ones with burs or needles that are damaging when stepped on, you may have to use a herbicides even if your anti chemical. Some weeds are so invasive that they can wipe out a lawn and next a community.
Junk bird seed bought at discount stores are known to have invasive weeds like musk thistle, cockle burrs or what have you. Always read the labels of bird seed and know your plants; otherwise, you and your neighbors will regret buying cheap bird seed.
I
recommend spot treating weeds with the non-selective herbicide glyphosate
(Roundup or Milestone). Non-selective in the weed killing industry means that it will kill a variety of weeds.
Besides using a spray bottle to administer weed killer, you can also use a paint sponge, spoon, syringe or straw. Always wear gloves. Don't let your skin come into contact with chemical herbicides.

Whether you use boiling
hot water, vinegar or a herbicide, be sure to pull the weed after its dead just
in case it has seed pods on which will eventually replant itself. I always pull the weed,
discard it and drench the ground a bit.
Spray plants during the hottest part of the day or when the sun is high in the sky for maximum results.
When To Apply Weed Killer Spray?


Read the Labels and Know How To Spray
*Always remember that
chemicals as like Roundup are easy to use but, those chemicals will also kill
grass, flowers and can damage trees and shrubs through their roots.
Most trees and shrubs have rooting systems that sprawl out, away from the actual tree or shrub. Be aware of where those root systems grow because, they can be damaged just like a weed. Always use weed killers with caution.
If you use herbicides right, they are extremely effective, save you time and a backache. You'll want to keep at least one bottle of a good herbicide product in your garden shed.
Most people don’t like
pulling weeds because, it really is back breaking work. We all usually forget the proper way to bend or reach in order to avoid injuries. I keep a bottle of herbicide on hand mainly for reoccurring thistle. I hate thistle. I have a bottle of Milestone and Roundup in my garden shed. Both are good products.
Have A Good Aim
Be Careful When Spraying Chemicals!
Here's an example of why you should know how to properly use weed killers. My new neighbor had used
a harmful brand of weed killer on our fence line to kill weeds on
her side. I think it contained alot of ammonia or something. She thought you just aim and shoot. Boy was she wrong. She over sprayed the entire area which bled into my yard. It pays to
read the labels.
Not only did my lovely neighbor kill
the crab grass and other weeds but, she also killed the beautiful heirloom rose bushes (Baron Girod de L'Ain) that had been growing there for years and she killed my St. Augustine grass that was growing on the other side of her fence. It’s been
one year and I still have trouble with the grass not re-growing like it did.
How Herbicides Work
According to
researchers, glyphosate doesn't stay in the soil. It evaporates and dissipates when
watered but, it will stay in the plant. I recommend keeping your pets out of
the sprayed area until the foliage completely dries. Then pick the weed up the
next day and toss it waste bin. As long as the dogs avoid exposure to the
liquid itself, they're safe.

Types of Weed Killers - Herbicides
I have noticed after time of having a regular practice of pulling weeds that they eventually de-populate
.. . that's until the California Santa Ana winds decide to blow the next batch of weeds seeds onto my property.
Safe organic herbicides are now called “Sustainable Viticulture”.
It’s basically organic herbicides made from acetic acid like vinegar, citrus or corn
gluten meal. They rob plants of its fatty acids and flash dehydrate them.
Corn gluten meal comes from processing corn syrup and corn
starch. It’s commonly used as a safe “Weed and Feed” and it’s edible accept for
folks with Celiac Disease (gluten issues). When sold as a herbicides it will
usually have a bit of lemon juice in it for extra killing power. Corn gluten is safe around pets and it’ll also fertilize the
ground.
There’s a book titled “The Lawn Bible” by David R. Mellor who
has a lot of good ideas about using organic ingredients as like vinegar or corn
gluten, hot water in lieu of dangerous chemicals.
Organic Weed Killers That Are Pet Friendly

Amazon.com has many organic herbicides listed or you can find these at well stocked garden nursery or home centers. Some mom and pop nurseries will be glad to order products for you.
When you go to buy a pesticide that’s safe for your pets, I
recommend asking a store employee, read labels and do your research!

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Howdy!
Thank you very much for your comments and questions.I will be sure to reply as soon as I can. With Regards ~Emma