No one likes dealing with weeds, but they are an unfortunate reality of gardening. Not only do they rob your plants of nutrients and water, but they can also make your garden look messy and unkempt. If you have pets, the problem is even worse. Many weed killers contain harmful chemicals that can be toxic to animals. Fortunately, there is a solution. With a few simple ingredients, you can make a pet-safe weed killer that will get rid of weeds without harming your furry friends. If you’re looking for a way to take care of those pesky weeds without putting your pets at risk, read on for how to make pet safe weed killer.
1. Boiling Water
While this may not look like much in terms of how to make pet safe weed killer, it is effective. Start by estimating how much water you will need to cover the weeds completely. Bring the water to a boil and carefully pour it over the weeds. If you have a large area to cover, you may need to do this in batches, and you may also need to use a pot or kettle with a spout. Be careful not to splash the boiling water on yourself or your pets.
While this method is effective, it does have a few drawbacks. First, boiling water will kill anything in its path, not just weeds. This means that you must be careful not to pour it on any other plants. Second, boiling water can damage certain types of pavement or stone, so be careful not to pour it on your patio or driveway. Finally, this method only works on small weeds. You’ll need to look for another solution if you have bigger weeds. However, if you have a small weed problem and your pets are out of the way, boiling water is a great way to eliminate weeds without harming your animals.
2. Vinegar Weed Killer
Vinegar is a great pet safe weed killer because it’s non-toxic and effective. You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, but white vinegar is usually cheaper and just as effective. However, you don’t need to go shopping for special vinegar. The kind you have in your kitchen will work just fine.
How It’s Made:
The first step is to fill a spray bottle with vinegar. You’ll want to use a bottle that has a good nozzle so that you can get a fine mist. If you’re using apple cider vinegar, you can dilute it with water. For every cup of vinegar, add one cup of water. This will help to prevent the vinegar from damaging your plants. Once you’ve mixed the vinegar and water, add a tablespoon of dish soap. This will help the mixture stick to the weeds.
Now all you need to do is spray the mixture on the weeds. Be sure to coat them completely and try to avoid getting any on your other plants. The Vinegar Weed Killer will kill the weed within 24 hours but may take up to a week for the plant to completely die. Remember, you can always respray if necessary.
Besides weed control, vinegar can also control fleas, ticks, and other pests. It can also be used as a natural cleaner around your home. So, if you’re looking for a multipurpose product that is safe for your pets, vinegar is a great choice.
3. Lemon Oil
There is a possibility you have all the ingredients for how to make pet safe weed killer in your kitchen already. Lemons are not only great for cooking and baking but can also be used as a weed killer. All you need is lemon oil and water. But before looking at how to make this weed killer let’s look at what lemon oil is.
Lemon oil is a concentrated form of lemon juice. It’s made by pressing the peel of the lemon to release the oils and then boiling down the liquid to create a concentrate. This concentrate can be used in many different ways, including as a weed killer.
Lemon oil can be found at most health food stores or online. It’s important to get 100% pure lemon oil, as some products that claim to be lemon oil may only be diluted with water or other oils.
How It’s Made:
To make this weed killer, you’ll need one cup of lemon oil and one gallon of water. Mix these two ingredients together in a large bucket and then pour the mixture into a sprayer. Be sure to shake the mixture well before each use.
Now you’re ready to spray the lemon oil weed killer on your weeds. The mixture will need to be reapplied every few days or after it rains. This weed killer is most effective on small weeds that are just starting to grow.
Lemon oil is a great choice for pet safe weed killers because it’s non-toxic and effective. It does not harm your topsoil, and it can be used against a wide variety of weeds. This includes certain types of grass weeds, broadleaf weeds, and even some types of vines.
4. Corn Gluten Meal
Corn gluten meal is a natural weed killer that is safe for both pets and humans. It’s made from the dried gluten that is left over from milling corn. This gluten is then turned into a powder and sold as a weed killer.
How It’s Made:
Corn gluten meal works by preventing the weed seeds from germinating. This means the weed never has a chance to grow and take over your garden. Corn gluten meal is most effective when applied in early spring before the weeds have a chance to sprout. However, given that this weed killer primarily works by preventing germination, it may not be effective on already established weeds.
Corn gluten meal can also help your landscaping efforts as it will provide some nitrogen to your soil. This is especially beneficial if you have a lawn that is starting to look yellow and unhealthy.
However, it is important to note that corn gluten meal can cause allergies in certain pets. If you have a pet prone to allergies, it’s best to avoid using this weed killer.
How It’s Made:
You can find corn gluten meals at most gardening stores or online. To use it, add the desired amount of corn gluten meal to your soil and then water it. It’s important to apply corn gluten meal before you plant your garden, as it needs time to work its way into the soil.
It can also be used as part of your tree care routine as it will help keep the roots of your trees healthy. Simply add one pound of corn gluten meal per inch of trunk diameter around the base of your tree.
5. Clove Oil
When looking at how to make pet safe weed killer, you may not think to look in your spice cabinet. But clove oil can actually be used as an effective weed killer. Clove oil is a natural herbicide that is derived from the cloves of the clove plant. It has a richly sweet and spicy scent that many people enjoy. This comes from the eugenol that is found in cloves. Eugenol is also what gives clove oil its weed killing properties.
How It’s Made:
You’ll start by heating one cup of water to make this weed killer. Once the water is boiling, add one tablespoon of clove oil. Stir, then remove the mixture from heat and let it cool. Once it’s cooled, pour it into a spray bottle and apply it to your weeds. Be sure to shake the mixture well before each use.
This weed killer is most effective on young weeds that are just starting to sprout. It can also be used to eliminate breadloaf grass and other grass weeds without affecting other plants in your garden.
6. Salt
Salt is a common household item that can also be used as an effective weed killer. This is because salt is a desiccant, which means it dries out plants by absorbing the water in their cells. This will eventually kill the plant.
How to Make It:
To make salt weed killer, simply dissolve one cup of salt in two cups of boiling water. Once the salt has dissolved, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and apply it to your weeds. Salt can also be applied directly to the weed. However, be careful not to apply it to other plants in your garden as it will kill them as well.
If the weeds you are trying to get rid off are in your driveway or sidewalk, you can also use salt to kill them. Simply sprinkle the salt on the cracks in the concrete and repeat as necessary. Just be sure not to use too much salt as it can damage the environment.
However, even as you consider using salt as a weed killer, remember that your pets may be attracted to the salty taste. So, if you have pets, keep them away from any areas you have treated with salt. But, if you suspect your pet has ingested excess salt, give it plenty of fresh water to drink and immediately contact an animal hospital.
7. Rubbing Alcohol-Based Weed Killer
Even as you look at how to make pet safe weed killer, you may not think to look in your medicine cabinet. But rubbing alcohol can actually be used as an effective weed killer. This is because rubbing alcohol is a desiccant, which means it dries out plants by absorbing the water in their cells. This will eventually kill the plant.
How to Make It:
To make this weed killer, you’ll need to start by mixing one part rubbing alcohol with two parts water. Once the mixture is combined, pour it into a spray bottle and apply it to your weeds. However, you can also mix it with vinegar to create an even more effective weed killer. This can be used on weeds that have proved resistant to other methods.
To use this weed killer, simply spray it on the leaves of your weeds. The alcohol will then work to kill the plant by drying it out. If you notice there are still some weeds remaining, you can reapply the mixture as necessary.
Other than being an effective weed killer, rubbing alcohol can also be used to kill fleas, ants, and other pests. So, if you have a problem with any of these pests, be sure to give this method a try.
Just be careful when using rubbing alcohol as it is flammable. So, be sure to keep it away from any open flames. You should also avoid spraying it on hot days as the heat can cause the mixture to evaporate too quickly.
Other Pet Safe Weed Killers
While looking at how to make a pet safe weed killer, it’s important to remember that there are also many other ways to get rid of weeds without mixing or spraying any chemicals. Here are a few other options to consider.
Pulling Weeds by Hand:
This is probably the most labor-intensive method, but it is also the safest for your pets. Simply pull the weed up by its roots and dispose of it in a garbage bag. This method works best on young weeds that have not had a chance to spread their seeds.
It can be difficult to remove all of the roots, which is why some weed seeds may remain in the soil. However, if you pull the weed regularly, the chances of them germinating and growing will greatly reduce.
Mulching:
Mulching is another great way to prevent weeds from growing in your garden. Mulch is a layer of material that is placed over the topsoil to prevent light and water from reaching the weed seeds. This will prevent them from germinating and growing.
You can purchase mulch from your local garden center or make your own by composting leaves, grass clippings, and other organic materials. Simply spread a layer of mulch over your garden bed and around your plants. You should reapply the mulch every few months as it will eventually break down. Mulch can also be used to disguise newly planted bulbs from animals like squirrels which may try to dig them up.
There you have it — a list of how to make pet safe weed killer that can be used in your garden. Be sure to experiment with different methods to find the one that works best for you and your pet. And, if you suspect any of these methods has harmed your pet, be sure to take them to an animal treatment center as soon as possible.
