Weed killer that's ok with pets

hardpressed

Got lots of dandelions growing through what is laughingly called the patio, I tried boiling water but they've all come back with a vengance. Is there a weed killer that I can use that is safe for cats and dogs?

splodger_seedswapper

not sure about a pet safe weedkiller - i doubt it - as it has to be pretty strong to kill off the weeds.

if using a weedkiller is your only way of getting rid of them - spray in the evening (when it is dry and calm) and keep the animals inside until the morning

or if you can't do that - spray the weeds and then cover the area with mesh or something - to stop the animals from walking over the sprayed area - as that is where they can get into a pickle (as they are more likely to lick their feet clean and therefore could ingest the weedkiller)

stumpycat

If you can, try & get the dandelion roots out with a screwdriver or knife - or indeed a groove knife, which is intended for weeding between slabs. I didn't realise such a thing existed until I bought one from B&M for 79p!
Once the gaps are cleaned out I pour some salt into them - making sure it goes right down so the pets can't eat it. I also avoid doing the slabs nearest the garden 'cos I don't want salty run-off killing any other plants.

Rummer

We use a pressure washer every year to clear the patio of weeds and to clean the slabs, works a treat and it is ridiculously good fun

RuthnJasper

I used Bayer 3hr weedkiller http://www.bayergarden.co.uk/products/product.aspx?productid=203&categoryid=12 purchased at Sainsbury's Homebase. It says it's pet-friendly.

Failing that, use any weedkiller, but put old trays, boards or other covers over the "treated" weeds so that pets can't access them for at least 24 hrs. Or keep a close eye on/don't let pets out. My dog, Jasper (he of www.jasper-thedogsblog.blogspot.com), however, thought that the weedkiller smelled so foul that he wouldn't have gone near it even for a prime beef fillet!!!

Good luck. xx

cootambear

bleach injected from one of those syringes you get from an ink refill kit

frugal_shopper_2

Using a groove knife to remove them then filling the gaps between slabs would be a better & more permanent solution but if you prefer using weedkiller then ReVert (an organic vinegar based child & pet safe weedkiller) is effective on dandelions. It's available from Mistral Cleaning products although currently they only seem to be selling it via ebay rather than on the website
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330268913853

susieb

Pour boiling water on the weeds, just make sure the pets are away from it until it cools down

savemoney

Vinegar can be used for a weed killer. It does work on my driveway under certain conditions

Not sure how good it is on dandelions though, it appears to work better in full sun, the acid in vinegar helps

http://www.garden-counselor-lawn-care.com/vinegar-weed-killer.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_4762568_make-weed-killer-vinegar.html

gardenroute

The best time to spray is in the morning of a hot dry day after the dew has lifted. Don't cover the sprayed plants either, leave them to grow away.
If you spray in the morning it should be pet safe after lunch, especially for cats and dogs.
A weak spray will need repeating, especially for dandelion type weeds; you might be best doing one strong spray.
If there are loads of weeds in your patio, you could think about getting rid of the weeds and then repointing between the slabs.