Weed Killer Health & Safety

I’m not going to belabour this point because safety issues seem to be the one subject that puts a lot of people into a deep sleep! So please don’t nod off. It’ll take 2 minutes and just a few pounds to be safe with pesticides. The environment, wild life, your lawn and family will all benefit as well.

Read and follow the instructions on the product. The following does not overrule those instructions but is meant to help explain and guide on the main issues.

Personal Protection

For mixing:

• Pair of wellies
• Eye protection – pair of safety goggles or face shield
• Pair of chemical resistant nitrile gloves (rubber gloves can be used)

For spraying:

• Pair of wellies
• Pair of chemical resistant nitrile gloves
• If you do a lot of spraying wear a Chemical Resistant Overall or Tyvek suit

People, Pets and Wildlife

If used according with the instructions these chemicals pose minimal risk. Just follow the instructions on the container together with the following tips and you will have child friendly and pet safe lawn care AND no weeds:

• Spray in calm weather
• Keep children, dogs and cats off until the lawn dries after application – often under an hour in the warmer months
• If you keep guinea pigs, rabbits or hens I suggest leaving an untreated area for them
• Leave a 1metre margin (buffer zone) around ponds where a liner is used
• Natural water courses such as streams and lakes require a 6metre margin

Composting & Mulching

This only applies if you have used weed killer on the whole lawn rather than spot treated weeds:

• Do not use the mowing clippings to mulch the borders
• Do not compost the first mowing
• The first mowing can be left on the lawn if your mower instructions allow
• Subsequent mowings should be composted for at least 9 months