If you have a yard or any type of landscaping near your home, you’ve invariably dealt with weeds. While some people enjoy pulling weeds, many of us just want the quickest solution to have our yards looking nice. Of course, that solution also needs to be safe, and many weed-killing options are unsafe. One popular option, Roundup, is easy to procure, but the product is not safe to use, and many people now avoid exposure to Roundup. 

Here, you’ll find five effective ways to remove weeds without using the toxic herbicide Roundup. 

What is Roundup? 

Roundup is a weedkiller that is used commercially on farms as well as residentially around homes, schools, and parks. It’s very effective at killing weeds, but it is also very harmful. 

People who have had extensive exposure to Roundup have come forward stating that the chemical has caused various ailments including cancer. Roundup lawsuits allege that the manufacturer of Roundup (Bayer, which was once Monsanto), knew of the dangers of the weedkiller and continued to market and sell it regardless. 

Understandably, many people want to avoid the chemical for themselves, their family members, and their pets. Nonetheless, you can still find Roundup on store shelves today. If you’ve used Roundup in your yard in the past, you may be looking for a new alternative to keep the weeds at bay.  Here are five weedkiller options that are safer than Roundup. 

Organic Weed-Killing Options 

Organic weed killers are made from materials that occur naturally as opposed to inorganic herbicides like glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) that are manufactured in a lab. 

Organic weed killers tend to be less toxic than Roundup, and they work best alongside another form of weed control such as manual weeding or spreading a layer of mulch on top of your landscaping. Some organic options include vinegar, corn gluten meal, and flame weeders. 

Vinegar

To use vinegar as a weed killer, try mixing one gallon of white vinegar with one cup of salt and one tablespoon of liquid dish soap. During the time of day with the most sun, spray the weed killer onto the leaves of any plants you want to kill. 

For the best results, choose vinegar with at least 5% acetic acid. However, when you use vinegar that is over 5% acetic acid, it can be dangerous and can possibly burn your skin. Be sure to wear protective gear while using any vinegar-based weed killer. Also, keep in mind that multiple applications may affect the quality of your soil.

Contact Organics sells an eco-friendly weed terminator that works with the soil to control unwanted weed growth. It’s a bioherbicide made from acetic acid (which is what you’ll find in vinegar).  

Corn Gluten Meal 

Corn gluten is safe to use, and it’s especially effective for grass weeds. You’ll need quite a bit of it, however. It’s recommended that you spread 20 pounds of corn gluten for every 1,000 feet of land you’re applying it to. After about a week, make sure you water the area where you applied the corn gluten if it hasn’t rained. In addition to being safe to use, this option is ideal because it continues to work for up to six weeks. 

Flame Weeders

As the name implies, flame weeders or flame throwers use fire to control weeds. They heat up the weed just enough to kill it; when using a flame weeder, you only need to heat the plant up enough to kill the plant tissue. You don’t actually need to burn the weed. 

Flame weeders kill the plant tissue that is above ground, but they don’t kill the roots. Because of this, they may not get rid of all weeds for good. Perennial weeds especially will need multiple treatments to fully kill the weed. 

This method is much safer than using harsh chemicals, but there is the risk of starting a fire. Be sure to take all safety precautions, and never use a flame weeder when there is a burn notice or a high forest fire risk. 

Alternative Weed Control Solutions

If you’re able to use an organic method to control weeds, that is preferred. It’s always best to forgo using a chemical when you can. However, there are some chemical options available on the market that, according to current evidence, are not as dangerous as Roundup. It can be much more convenient to just buy a jug of weed killer and spray it; many people don’t have time for some of the organic methods, which is understandable. 

Diquat

Reward, which is manufactured by Syngenta, uses diquat as the active ingredient. It’s one of the most popular diquat herbicides on the market. It doesn’t penetrate to the roots, but it works well to control most small weeds. It may not be up to the job of controlling larger weeds, however. 

Glufosinate

Glufosinate is another chemical-based herbicide that’s sold under the brand names Finale XL and Cheetah Pro. It works best on annual, rather than perennial weeds. It does not penetrate to the root, and it typically does not do damage to nearby plants that you aren’t trying to kill. 

What Should I Do if I’ve Used Roundup? 

Before it became widely known how dangerous Roundup can be, many people used it without knowing the risks. Even today, many people use the chemical without understanding the harm they may be causing. 

If you’ve used Roundup in the past at your home occasionally, it’s unlikely you’ve suffered severe or permanent damage. People that have used it long-term as part of their jobs, however, are often the ones who are now facing the long-term ramifications of glyphosate exposure. Cancer is of particular concern, as the World Health Organization classifies glyphosate as a probable carcinogen. 

People who believe they have been harmed by Roundup can speak to a lawyer to determine if they are eligible to file a Roundup lawsuit. We’re happy to help connect you with a lawyer and begin the process of seeking justice for yourself.