Weeds are an inevitable part of gardening. If your lawn gets overrun by weeds, it is essential to eradicate them instantly. Sadly, numerous weed killers on the market contain harsh chemicals that are not only harmful to the environment, but also to the health of your pets. Thus, organic, pet-friendly weed killers are an ideal choice for those who have furry friends. This article will give you some tips before purchasing the safest weed killer for pets.
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How does the safe weed killer for pets work?
The majority of safe weed killers for pets use vinegar as their primary ingredient to eradicate weeds. After applied, it removes moisture from the weeds, causing them to shrivel up and die. Some natural weed killers utilise dish soap, so the spray stays on the leaves instead of being absorbed by the plant, causing the formula to work quickly. On the other hand, some products use corn gluten to prevent seeds from forming roots after germination. As a result, they never have the opportunity to develop into real weeds.
Types of safe weed killers for pets
A wide variety of safe weed killers for pets are available on the market. Each type of weed killer uses different active ingredients to kill weeds. Therefore, learning about these features is essential to find the right weed killer that is safe for your pets.
Vinegar
Vinegar is not only known as a hardworking pantry staple but also one of the most effective and safe weed killers. Its ingredient is acetic acid which kills weeds by drawing moisture out of plant material. However, it is not selective, which means it can eliminate any plants, so it should be used carefully to avoid destroying your plants. Besides, it does not kill weeds to the root, thus, you need to reapply it several times to get the best results. In addition, to further the effectiveness, you can use a mix of vinegar and dish soap, which help the vinegar stick to the leaves of the plant longer.
Salt
Salt is another powerful ingredient to eradicate unwanted vegetation while still being safe for pets as it makes soil inhospitable to plants. Besides, it is also easy to apply. All thing you need to do is sprinkle it liberally and then water it into the area. To enhance its effectiveness, it can be used with vinegar or soap.
Cornmeal
Cornmeal is an effective pet-safe weed killer that acts as a pre-emergent. That means it will prevent the seed from germinating, but it is not effective to eradicate existing weeds. Additionally, you simply spread it around an area where you want to eliminate weeds.
Sugar and chilli pepper
Like salt, sugar makes soil conditions unsuitable for plant development. People often mix sugar with chilli powder to repel the pesky pests that attract by sugar. You just sprinkle the mixture across the soil where the weeds are growing. However, it should be careful to use near furry friends, especial dogs, as they are easily attracted by sweet stuff, so they can get a nose- or tongue-full of the chilli pepper.
Boiling water
Boiling water is an effective and simple way of weed eradication. It instantly kills any plant that it comes in contact with by literally cooking the plant in the ground. Nevertheless, you need to be careful when applying, because boiling water can destroy your plants when they contact with it.
What to look for when choosing the safest weed killer for pets
Researching the important factors that affect the effectiveness of a weed killer may take you time, as different weed killer has different features and application. However, understanding these factors is key to choose the safest weed killer for pets.
Ingredients
Each weed killer uses different ingredients to eliminate weeds. Some of them effectively kill weeds, but they contain toxic chemicals that can cause issues when pets are exposed to them. Therefore, choosing a pet-friendly and natural product is an important factor if you have furry friends. Corn gluten meal and vinegar are all-natural products that use in numerous safe weed killers for pets. In contrast, 2,4-D (trimec), sethoxydim, carbon tetrachloride, and chloroform are harmful to your pets when they contact them, thus, you need to avoid choosing the product containing these ingredients.
Non-selective or selective killer
Some weed killers are selective with what they eradicate, while some kill anything when they come in contact with it. Therefore, it is essential to select a weed killer that is suitable for your need.
Prevention or killer
Some products are designed to eradicate weeds while others prevent them from growing. With different lawn situations, you need a different weed killer. If your lawn is in good shape, you need a pet-safe weed prevention product that effectively prevents weed growth. In contrast, if your lawn is full of weeds, a pet-friendly weed killer may be a good idea.
Efficacy
Each pet-safe weed killer or pet-friendly weed prevention product needs a different time to work. Some of them take hours, days, or weeks to see results. In addition, not all weed killers are designed to eliminate all types of weeds. Some weed killers work well on various weeds, while others target specific weeds.
Top 10 the safest weed killer for pets, especially dogs
Spectracide Weed And Grass Killer 32 Ounces, Use On Patios, Walkways And Driveways
The Spectracide Weed and Grass Killer is a fast and effective way for spot treatment of weeds and grasses. With the fast-acting formula, visual results are presented within 3 hours after application. Furthermore, this formula is rainproof in 15 minutes, therefore, rainfall or watering after 15 minutes will not wash away its effectiveness. For the best results, it should be applied during warm, sunny weather when the temperature is over 60 degrees. However, for safety, it must not be used on or around edible feed or food crops. Moreover, new flowers, trees and shrubs will replant the same weekend. You can use it to kill weeds on driveways and walkways, and around fences, trees, flower beds, shrubs and other areas in your yard.
Roundup Ready-To-Use Weed & Grass Killer III with Pump ‘N Go 2.1 Sprayer, 1.33 gallons
The Roundup Ready-to-Use Weed & Grass Killer III with Pump ‘N Go 2.1 Sprayer is a fast and safe method to eradicate weeds in your garden. It can kill the toughest weeds and grasses to the root to make sure they will not regrow in the future. Furthermore, it is equipped with an extendable wand, so you can reach your target accurately without bending over. Besides, the Pump ‘N Go 2.1 Sprayer provides up to 10 minutes of continuous spray to effectively deal with weeds. With a convenient, no-mix formula, you easily use it in and around vegetable gardens, flower beds, tree rings and mulched beds, as well as on cracks in driveways, walkways and patios. In addition, the visible results are shown around three hours after spraying. Moreover, the herbicide can be refilled into the original container, which makes it economical.
Ortho Nutsedge Killer for Lawns Ready-To-Spray, 32 fl. oz.
The Ortho Nutsedge Killer for Lawns Ready-To-Spray is an ideal choice to deal with the most stubborn lawn weeds in your garden. It selectively kills purple and yellow nutsedge and over 50 other tough weeds, including kyllinga, wild onion and garlic, broadleaf plantain, purslane, redroot, pigweed, dandelion, spurge and other listed annual, biennial, and perennial broadleaf weeds without damaging the grass or tolerant surrounding plants. Besides, the application becomes more convenient thanks to the built-in hose-end sprayer. All thing you need to do is connect the sprayer to your hose and spray the herbicide directly on weeds. To get the best result, you should respray it after 30 days. However, it can not be applied to flowers, most ornamentals, or vegetables for safety.
Spectracide 96262 Weed & Feed 20-0-0 (Ready-to-Spray) (HG-96262) (32 fl oz), 1 pack
The Spectracide Weed & Feed 20-0-0 is an easy-to-use product that effectively eradicates dandelion, chickweed, knotweed, plantain, clover, mallow, purslane and other broadleaf weeds. Furthermore, it feeds your lawn thanks to fertilizing with a 20 percent nitrogen formulation. To get the best result, it should be sprayed during the growing season when weeds are actively growing. In addition, it is equipped with a hose-end sprayer and no complicated mixing is required, which makes the application easier. Moreover, one 32 fl oz bottle treats up to 7,500 sq ft, so it is seen as an affordable weed eradication method.
BioAdvanced 704640B 704640 Brush Killer, 32 Ounce, Concentrate
The BioAdvanced Brush Killer Plus is an efficient method to eradicate kudzu, poison ivy, poison oak, blackberry, bramble and over 70 other types of weeds and brush with a special formula. After being applied, the systemic herbicide penetrates plants via their leaves, green or cut woody shoots, and roots, and then spreads throughout the plant and interferes with the plant processes, which kills them. You will see visual results such as wilting or yellowing after 1 to 6 weeks of application. It can be used around homes, cabins, buildings, fences, walkways, trails and wooded areas. To eliminate newly cut stumps, you simply use a paintbrush to fully coat the stump with an undiluted substance. However, due to safety, the paintbrush is not reused for other purposes.
Roundup Max Control 365 Ready-to-Use Comfort Wand Sprayer, 1.33-Gallon (Weed Killer Plus Weed Preventer) – 5000510
The Roundup Ready-To-Use Max Control 365 effective kills weeds down to the root to ensure they will not regrow in the future. Furthermore, it also offers prevention from new weeds for up to a year by creating an invisible barrier. Besides, it is rainproof in 30 minutes with visible results in 12 hours and can be used on driveways, patios, sidewalks, and gravel areas. A unique comfort wand makes it convenient and easy to apply. You simply connect and extend the wand, then spray both existing weeds and weed-prone areas where you want to prevent new weeds from growing.
Ortho GroundClear Super Weed & Grass Killer1: with Comfort Wand, Kills to the Root, Fast-Acting, 1 gal.
The Ortho GroundClear Super Weed and Grass Killer1 is a great option for large amounts of weeds eradication. It can kill 175 types of tough weeds and grasses including crabgrass, dandelion, nutsedge, and oxalis. With the fast-acting formula, it kills weeds and grass within hours and completely removes them in 1 to 2 weeks. In addition, the attached continuous spray makes its application easier and more accurate. It can be used around landscape areas, patios, walkways, gravel, mulched areas, along houses and fence lines, and on driveways. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the weed control is not affected by rainfall or watering 15 minutes after applying it. However, it kills both weeds and grass, therefore, it is not a good idea for those looking for a weed killer that will not impact their grass.
Roundup For Lawns1 Ready to Use – All-in-One Weed Killer for Lawns, Kills Weeds – Not the Lawn, One Solution for Crabgrass, Dandelions, Clover and Nutsedge, For Use on Northern Grasses, 1.33 gal.
The Roundup For Lawns 1 is a selective weed killer, therefore it only eliminates weeds without damaging your lawns. It can eradicate over 250 common lawn weeds, even hard-to-kill weeds such as crabgrass, dandelion, clover and yellow nutsedge, which makes it ideal for weed control. With the new extended wand, you easily treat your weed without the equipment required. After applied, the fast-acting formula starts working instantly. Besides, it is rainproof in as little as 3 hours, therefore, rainfall or watering 3 hours after applying it will not decrease the effectiveness of the weed control. Furthermore, it also eradicates weeds down to the root, which ensures they do not regrow. It works well on lawns, and other non-lawn areas such as sidewalks, patios, driveways and garden beds.
Ortho GroundClear Year-Long Vegetation Killer1 – Concentrate, Visible Results in 3 Hours, Kills Weeds and Grasses to the Root When Used as Directed, Up to 1 Year of Weed and Grass Control, 1 gal.
The Ortho GroundClear Year-Long Vegetation Killer1 gives you long-term protection because it is able to kill weeds and grasses and prevent new growth for up to 1 year with a single application. In addition, you simply mix this concentrate with water and spray this mixture on areas where weeds grow, including driveways, sidewalks, gravel areas, rock and desert landscapes, under decks, on parking areas, along fences and curbs. With the fast-acting formula, it starts killing weed and grass within 3 hours. Furthermore, it can kill tough weeds to the root when used as directed.
Southern Ag Surfactant for Herbicides Non-Ionic, 16oz, 1 Pint
This Southern Ag weed killer effectively eradicates broadleaf weeds such as dandelion and chickweed but does not kill grass and other plants. It can be applied on lawns, pastures, rangelands, and along fences. For application, you just mix 2 or 3 tablespoons of the liquid concentrate with 3 to 5 gallons of water and spread the mixture on the lawn with a hand-pump sprayer or a hose-end sprayer. It starts working within 3 days and provides weed control for more than 6 months. Furthermore, the 1-quart bottle can cover 21,000 to 32,000 square feet, which makes it become an economical weed control approach.
How to properly apply pet-safe weed killers to minimize risk to your dog
There are a wide variety of ways to effectively eradicate weeds around your house without harming your dog. The majority of the products listed here have a minimal threat to your pets. However, the ingredients in these products can hurt your pets if they are applied excessively or improperly.
Firstly, it is of vital importance to always follow the instructions of the manufacturer because if the product is applied in the wrong way, it will not provide better results, but also may increase the risks to your dog’s safety.
Secondly, your dogs and other pets should be kept inside during treatment time. Your furry friends can be hurt if they accidentally contact with spray or lick weed killer off the grass you just sprayed. Furthermore, to ensure their safety, you need to avoid applying sprays in windy conditions.
Last but not least, most weed killers take time to break down or be absorbed by the soil and plant tissues, so your pets are not allowed to return to the treated areas for about 24 hours following application to minimize the chance of contact with chemicals.
Downsides of weed killer safe for pets
Actually, safe-pet weed killers are not effective as harsh herbicides, however, it is an ideal choice for those who have pets. Many vinegar-based solutions can increase the salt content in the soil over time, causing brown spots on the lawn. Besides, it is not effective to destroy root systems, thus, weeds often come back after a period of application.
Additionally, it also kills any plant that they come in contact with, including grass or vegetable. Therefore, you have to be careful when applying them.
Frequently Answer Questions about safest weed killer for pets
What makes old weed killers unsafe for pets?
Different weed killers on the market use different active ingredients to eliminate weeds. Some common ingredients unsafe to use around our pets are glyphosate, 2,4-D and sethoxydim.
Glyphosate is one of the most popular ingredients to kill weeds and is often available in liquid form so you can spray it in treated areas easily. Besides, it is non-selective, which means it kills everything it contacts.
Another common herbicide is 2,4-D. Unlike glyphosate, 2,4-D effectively kills dicots while allowing grass to live. Therefore, it is suitable to kill weeds on lawns.
In addition, sethoxydim is also widely used to kill weeds. It is tailored to use on grass weeds that have already sprouted. It kills weeds by inhibiting the growth of the undesired weeds, therefore, all weeds will be removed about two weeks after application.
How can I eliminate dandelions without harming my dog?
It is difficult to get rid of dandelions without hurting your pets. There are some selective herbicides that effectively eliminate the dandelions without damaging your grass. However, they are not pet-friendly. You can eradicate the plant by hand or use a pre-emergent herbicide such as cornmeal gluten.
Conclusion
Numerous weed killers are available on the market to eradicate weeds around your house. However, they are not totally safe for use around your pets. Thus, learning the features and application of the product is a key to select the safest weed killer for pets.