The quest for the perfect lawn comes with many hardships and well-fought victories. Sometimes it takes drastic measures to kill stubborn weeds and to reveal the lush, green lawn beneath. Herbicides have always helped people get the upper hand on weeds, but the latest Roundup lawsuit has some homeowners and landscapers looking for alternative options. McCall Service in Jacksonville, FL, is here to present some pros and cons of using weed killer.
Roundup Cancer: What the Studies Show
If you’ve read the news lately, you may have heard about the lawsuits involving Monsanto and Roundup, an herbicide containing glyphosate. This chemical may be linked to cancer in at least one person.
However, the studies are mixed on Roundup and its potential to cause cancer, specifically non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Though the World Health Organization says the chemical ingredient can cause cancer in people, the Environmental Protection Agency says it doesn’t. Researchers will have to conduct more toxicology studies to come up with a definitive answer.
Pros and Cons of Using Weed Killers
While the Roundup lawsuit is still fresh in the news, it’s a good time to talk about the advantages and the disadvantages of using chemical herbicides.
Pro: They work quickly and efficiently.
Chemical herbicides containing glyphosate work extremely quickly, sometimes within a few days. Simply spray the solution onto the plant and walk away. It takes no time to control the weeds.
Con: They may cause negative side effects.
With the recent Roundup cancer lawsuit, people are learning more about the active ingredients in herbicides. Not understanding what you’re using could come back to hurt you in the future.
Pro: They work on a variety of weeds.
Some herbicides target more than 70 different broadleaf weeds and grasses. You can control different species without the need to use more than one product.
Con: They may harm beneficial plants and insects.
The same herbicides that kill weeds may contain ingredients that also kill your grass and beneficial insects such as honeybees. It’s always important to read the label and to make sure you’re not using a nonselective herbicide on your entire lawn.
5 Ways to Kill Weeds Without Chemicals
- Dig out the weeds by hand.
- Plant dense ground covers to shade the soil.
- Be mindful about irrigation and fertilization.
- Spray the weeds with water and soap.
- Kill the weeds with boiling water.
- Dig out the weeds by hand.
McCall Service: Eco-Friendly Pest Control and Lawn Care
Glyphosate isn’t the only effective chemical that controls weeds. McCall Service always keeps up to date on the latest herbicides, treatment methods, and environmentally friendly ways for killing and controlling weeds in residential and commercial landscapes. If you want a beautiful, weed-free lawn for your home in Jacksonville, FL, contact us to schedule an appointment and to learn more about our methods for suppressing hard-to-kill weeds.