How to Apply Weed Killer

Unless you have magical landscaping that doesn’t grow weeds, every homeowner will need to either pull weeds or apply weed killer at least once a year. Many consumers prefer to pull weeds by hand or by using weed-removing tools, mainly because they feel uncomfortable using weed killer. However, applying weed killer isn’t difficult if you follow our simple planning, application, and safety tips that will rid your house of weeds and keep you safe in the process.

The best time to use weed killer is in the premature or early growth stages, which is very common in spring. It’s harder to kill mature weeds because they have a mature root system, so it may take more than 1 application. When planning to apply weed killer, look at the weather forecast. You will need the following type of weather conditions:

• No rain 24 hours before or after application
• Temperatures between 45 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• Wind speeds less than 10 mph, but preferably between 3 - 7 mph

Weed killers come in a variety of different formats including premixed refills, concentrates, & ready-to-use sprayers. Each of these formats requires slightly different preparation before use. For example, the premixed refills are ready to be put into a sprayer and used. The concentrate will need to be mixed with water to the specified ratio on the back of the bottle, while the ready-to-spray weed killers typically have either electronic or manual built-in sprayers. These types are handy for individuals that do not own a tank sprayer. However, if you will be doing a large amount of spraying, we recommend either a tank sprayer or a backpack sprayer as these hold more fluid and have better spraying ability.

There are two different kinds of treatment techniques that are used when spraying weed killers. The first is spot spraying, which is when the weed killer is applied directly to a weed to avoid killing other plants. It’s advised to use a pressurized nozzle to precisely spray and target only the weeds. Broadcast spraying on the other hand, is when the weed killer is applied across the entire lawn. When broadcast spraying, it’s important to make sure to use a weed killer that grass can tolerate. This ensures you don’t kill your lawn in the process of killing your weeds.

Before applying weed killer, be sure to follow any safety guidelines on the back of the bottle and reference our safety section. Remove any items from the weeded area like toys and patio furniture. Also, ensure no animals, children, or other adults will be using the area until the chemicals dry. The dry time varies by climate. As soon as the application is dry, it is safe for humans and animals to walk on.

When applying the weed killer, do not spray on desirable plants or trees. If you accidentally spray a plant or tree, act quickly and wash off the herbicide with water before the leaves absorb it. We recommend placing the sprayer nozzle closer to the ground when spraying around desirable plants. This will avoid accidental overspray and allow for additional trajectory control. It may also be necessary to adjust the nozzle to more of a direct spray versus a large misting radius. In some circumstances, it’s best to not spray a weed that is growing near other plants and may be safer and easier to pull the weed.

After about 2-3 days the weeds’ stems should start twisting and dying. If larger, mature weeds look healthy after 3-5 days, they may need another dose of herbicide.

As with nearly all chemicals, safety equipment should be worn prior to mixing or coming in contact with the weed killer. We recommend, at minimum, the following should be worn when applying herbicides: a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, rubber gloves, goggles, and closed-toe shoes with long socks (rubber boots are even better.) According to many weed killer labels, a respirator is not necessary. However, we recommend wearing one to avoid breathing in mist or weed killer vapor. Immediately after your weed killer application, wash your hands with soap and water.

After applying weed killer, it’s advised to keep away from the area for 48 hours, especially for children and pets. You want to make sure the weed killer has absorbed into the weeds’ leaves, which takes between 24-48 hours usually. You’ll also want to avoid mowing or watering plants in the area for 48 hours for the same reason. This ensures the weed killer has adhered to the weeds.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes people make when using weed killer on their lawn:

• Overspraying the area, thereby killing plants or grass

• Applying weed killer when weeds are too big

• Applying weed killer before or after rain or extreme whether

• Applying the wrong type of weed killer for the weed species

• Improperly storing weed killer products

If you’re sick of body pain from pulling weeds all spring and summer long, now you may not have to! With this guide, you’ve been given all the information you need to effectively and safely apply weed killer to your lawn.