What's a do it yourself weed killer for someone with pets?

Janet
by Janet
I have a 10 lb Shih Tzu
  12 answers
  • Lois Vrns Lois Vrns on May 08, 2017

    is this for your whole lawn or just spot weeds? You can use a mixture of apple cider vinegar and epson salts in a spray bottle and just directly spray on the spot weeks.


    • See 2 previous
    • Linda Coffman Linda Coffman on May 09, 2017

      One gallon of white vinegar, I cup Epsom salts, a drop of dish detergent.

      Will not kill you grass!


  • Kauai Breeze Kauai Breeze on May 09, 2017

    Boiling water....but the water must be used as fast as possible after removing from the stove or it is not hot enough to kill the roots. I've been draining my potatoes over creeping charlie and it works!

  • Mfbandit769 Mfbandit769 on May 09, 2017

    I beg to differ with the person who posted that vinegar and salt will not kill your grass. IT DOES.


    What's the problem with using widely available, safe, and effective weed killers like Weed BGone, etc? I use them and have 4 dogs. All you have to do is keep the dogs off the grass until it's thoroughly dry. It's not a huge problem.

    • Harrietfreeman Harrietfreeman on May 09, 2017

      Dogs sweat through their feet. It is a problem. See articles this last week about cancers in dogs due to weed killer used in yards.

  • Lea Swenson Lea Swenson on May 09, 2017

    I have used chemicals and have two dogs. Just keep them away until it dries as mentioned above. Boiling water works. The mixture of one gallon of white vinegar, I cup Epsom salts, & a drop of dish detergent works but they will need a good soaking.....and will kill grass so be careful.

  • Kim Kollman Kim Kollman on May 09, 2017

    You can burn the weeds with a torch.

  • Phyllis Dinsmore Phyllis Dinsmore on May 09, 2017

    I have 2 dogs, one is a 6 lb Chihuahua. Every time I try homemade (and some organic) they don't work. I've now chosen 2 brands of safe garden items to use. (I go with the least expensive). They are Safer and Bonide with the tan upper right corner. Bonide has an app for smart phones to find their products, give info and advise. I always make sure it's safe. I had a dog who ate a bag of Garden Safe slug bait about 8 years ago. Rushed him and the parts of the package I could find to the Vets. He was just fine, but what a scare! Do be careful about burning Blackberry vines. They run all through the ground. I know of someone who did, and the fire followed the vine and burned down their barn!

  • Mfbandit769 Mfbandit769 on May 09, 2017

    If you do the research you'll find that the chemicals become nontoxic upon drying. A dog can't "reactivate" an inert substance by wetting it with their paws. I have owned dogs for over 40 years and none of them have ever had an issue. But, of course, you must follow the products instructions. I have a strong feeling that a lot of people don't do that.

  • Kandie Kandie on May 09, 2017

    I have 5 grandchildren under age 10, 2 dogs 1 puppy my children are 26 n up I have used this method once my kids were in diapers eating 🍅 n the garden as snacks

    1 10lb bag pool salt

    1 gel white vinegar

    1 mom concentrate Dawn dish soap

    I melt down 4/5 cups salt in 1/2 gal water then add 2 cups vinegar n about half cup of dawn

    The soap is to help it stick on the leaves etc not neccasary except if your doing tall weeds

    I use my yard sprayer n spray it wherever need I have a very pretty excessively big vase got at a thrift store it sits in my flower bed n collects rain etc in the bottom of it I have probably6/8 cups salt just there melting for when I need to do it again I pour the water off n add too the salt for next this method last me from spring to fall for about 15 bucks i literally have a small forest that butts up to my back yard n it keeps the brush away it doesn't work fast but 2 3 days you'll see it my grandchildren are eating n the garden as I write this

  • Mariann Mariann on May 09, 2017

    vinegar!

  • Chris Chris on May 09, 2017

    Horticultural vinegar works better than regular vinegar, but will kill grass. Also very acidic so don't let dogs on it until it dries.

    Some lawn care companies now have organic lawn care, but have not tried any,



  • I just soak the area and pull the next day...I need the exercise! LOL

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    1 gallon white vinegar and 1 cup salt and 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap Combine ingredients in

    spray bottle and treat weeds at the hottest time of day for best results.

  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Jun 02, 2020

    Hi Janet, here's a few great recipes for making organic weed killer - https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/advice/g777/homemade-weed-killers/