Download - Effective Ways to Eliminate Weeds
EFFECTIVE WAYS TO ELIMINATE WEEDS
There's nothing more frustrating for a homeowner than the battle against persistent weeds.
They make your yard, sidewalks, and driveway look neglected, and they provide cover for pests, including fleas, spiders and ticks.
Here are several simple ways to get rid of weeds with common household items and ingredients.
OPAQUE PLASTIC
Stretch the plastic out over the weeds and hold it in place with heavy rocks.
This method blocks the sun and rain from any weedy area, much the same way that weed-barrier fabrics work underneath mulch.
It will wilt the weeds quickly, but you'll have to play it by ear to see how long it takes the entire area to die out.
Also, unless you cut holes through the material, it will kill any desirable plants at the same time.
On the upside, you can use: Old shower curtains Tarps Even scraps of carpet Old welcome mats
NEWSPAPER
Lay down a few sheets of newspaper in any areas that have a dense covering of weeds.
Lay down a few sheets of newspaper in any areas that have a dense covering of weeds. Avoid covering the leaves plants you want to keep.
Weight down the paper with some rocks to keep the newspaper in place.
Two or three sheets of newspaper will block the sun and kill the weeds.
If it rains, you'll need to collect the old paper and replace it with fresh pages.
VINEGAR
Fill a spray bottle with a few ounces of undiluted vinegar. You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar; anything you have handy will work.
Swish in about an ounce of dish washing detergent to make the solution work faster.
The dish soap helps to penetrate the waxy coating that some resilient weeds have on their stems and leaves.
Vinegar is so acidic that it draws the moisture out of leaves.
Be careful not to spritz the "good" plants.
SOAK AND PULL METHOD
For deep-rooted stubborn weeds, such as dandelions, try soaking the area with a good deal of water--enough to thoroughly saturate the soil and loosen it.
Then take hold of the plant at the root and pull upwards very gently and slowly.
If you are patient enough, and if the soil is wet enough, you may be able to extract the entire plant down to the root.
This technique does take patience, but it works on weeds that have relatively small or straight root systems.
HOT WATER
Heat some tap water up to boiling. Pour it into a container that you can handle easily, like a metal pitcher or a heavy-duty bucket.
Then just dump a little on each patch of weeds you'd like to get rid of.
Weeds cannot resist this method, but it may not kill the roots.
Be prepared to repeat this treatment on stubborn plants.
Use these techniques on the weeds around your property. Since these are general instructions, you may have to experiment to find the most effective method, or methods, for your situation.
If all else fails, or you simply don’t want to deal with it, consult a professional. They'll be able to offer some labor- and time-saving solutions.
Custom Weed & Pest Control has been in business since 1989, serving the greater Phoenix metro area for both residential and commercial.
CUSTOM WEED & PEST CONTROLAddress: Phoenix AZ 85044
Phone: 602-956-3844Fax: 623-376-7743
Email: [email protected]
