Pet-Safe Weed Killer

It is weed season all over the country.  Do you spend hours on your knees pulling out all the weeds, or do you reach for a sprayer and knock them dead with chemicals?

The likely link between glyphosate (a common herbicide) and Lymphoma has been documented for some time.  A two billion dollar settlement was awarded in May 2019, and there are tens of thousands of active cases filed against the product currently.  Imagine the greater impact glyphosate can have on a much smaller creature who spends a lot of time lying in the grass, following us around the yard, and licking their own body.  Our dogs and cats have only us to protect them!

However, in reality there is something very satisfying about being able to use a sprayer and get rid of all the weeds in your yard without having to bend over and pull them out.  I know in my household, I would need to have a good alternative to convince my husband to ditch the chemical weed killer.

I found one.

Large Sprayer:
1 gal white vinegar
1 T liquid soap
1 cup salt

Small Spray Bottle:
1/4 cup salt
1 tsp liquid soap
3 cups vinegar

This recipe works best for younger weeds sprayed in full sun during the heat of the day.  A stronger concentration of vinegar will be more effective for older more established weeds.  Typical distilled white vinegar comes in a 5% concentration, but it can be found in higher concentrations. If you are spraying in an area where you want other plants to grow, omit the salt.  It changes the soil chemistry making it more difficult for desired plants to thrive.

Give it a try and let us know how it goes.  We have found great success, and feel much better about the safety of our pets and little people.  You get the satisfaction of spraying and protecting your family at the same time!