Is Weedkiller Safe for Kids?

uropachild

I don't mean is it safe to play with... I mean, is it safe for kids to play in a garden that's been sprayed with weedkiller?

I really want to try to clear the paths and grass of weeds, but i haven't done it up to now because i was afraid the kids would get it on their hands and end up ingesting it somehow and being poorly.

Am i being daft? Is it safe? How do those greenfingered MSE'ers with kids keep the weeds at bay?

Thanks!

Leif

If you search onlne, you can find the datasheets for glyphosate and other weedkillers. They will give some idea of toxicity and safe handling. The RoundUp web site also has information. One option is to spray on a dry day, when you are sure it will rain the next day or thereabouts. Glyphosate only needs an hour or two on the leaf to be effective, apparently.

Glyphosate acts on plant chemistry, so it is relatively safe for humans, unless you drink some of course. Obviously store out of reach.

Davesnave

How much do your kids photosynthesise when your back is turned?

(What Leif said)

Cliecost

I miss the good old weed killers that weren't safe for human contact (until they dried). I'm so fed up with the current ones that barely touch most plants (except grass(!))

I remember having one, it was a sodium chlorate weed killer. Once you applied it you could basically watch the plant turn grey lol.

Skint_yet_Again

I use salt on the weeds between the paving. Just cheap household salt and boiling water from the kettle to wash down to the roots. I have found it kills weeds within days.

Not sure what to do about the lawn though. I don't use weed killer on mine, I just keep it cut short and dig out any dandylions or buttercups as they are quite rampant !

Linda32

Hi,

No you are not being daft, and yes they are perfectly safe. So long as you spray on the weeds and don't drink it. Its perfectly safe for you to spray on your weeds and let your children play at the same time.

Same as the items no doubt lurking under your kitchen sink.

uropachild

Brilliant, thanks all!

forgotmyname

I have a tiny bit of sodium chlorate left. £1 shop stuff.

As mentioned where you use it nothing grows back for a long time.

This modern stuff is useless, Spray it on and a week later the weed may die or it might not.
20 seconds after spraying its inert. What good is that?

My allotment is covered in comfrey which i have dug out and killed mostly. But my neighbours plot is now overrun, Think he has given up with it.

So i may apply for that one also.

Davesnave

forgotmyname wrote: »

This modern stuff is useless, Spray it on and a week later the weed may die or it might not.
20 seconds after spraying its inert. What good is that?
.

It's not useless, but in this age when people want instant everything, a weedkiller that takes 2 weeks+ to show strong signs of activity is bound to confuse. A whole tranche of new weeds can germinate in that time!

Glyphosate actually takes a few hours to be absorbed by plants, but it is inactivated on contact with soil. It doesn't therefore have residual effects, which is what many people looked for from sodium chlorate.

There are residual weedkillers available, currently selling at around £80 for the smallest amount. That being the case, I use glyphosate on my field edges to stop rough grass creeping into gardens. I suppose I do those about 3 times in the growing season, and they stay clear.

Cliecost

forgotmyname wrote: »

I have a tiny bit of sodium chlorate left. £1 shop stuff.

As mentioned where you use it nothing grows back for a long time.

This modern stuff is useless, Spray it on and a week later the weed may die or it might not.
20 seconds after spraying its inert. What good is that?

My allotment is covered in comfrey which i have dug out and killed mostly. But my neighbours plot is now overrun, Think he has given up with it.

So i may apply for that one also.

That stuff was the muts nuts, I remember using it to a large patch of stinger nettles that were well rooted in. The next day they were limp and grey, 2 days later they were dead. Amazing!

The new stuff is useless and I hate it. I just wish I could find a GOOD alternative!

powershopper

actually, yes, you are daft to even contemplate that weed-killer is safe to use with kids around. Get real! Do you want to experiment with your kids health with WEEDKILLER ? Just buy a trowel and dig the blighters up! ( the weeds, not the kids)