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Weedkiller that won't harm neighbourhood cats - does it exist?

SaintJudy
Posts: 180 Forumite

Inspired by a post on the house buying / selling forum!
I have a gravel path with membrane thats got tons of weeds sprouting through. Can't afford to replace the membrane and they're growing faster than I can dig them out, so I want to try weedkiller but there are a couple of cats in the close vicinity. As a cat owner myself I've been reluctant to use weedkiller because of this but I can't keep on top of it and it's looking a right mess.
Does anyone have any recommendations of a weedkiller that's safe around animals? Or any suggestions for other methods of getting rid of the weeds?
I have a gravel path with membrane thats got tons of weeds sprouting through. Can't afford to replace the membrane and they're growing faster than I can dig them out, so I want to try weedkiller but there are a couple of cats in the close vicinity. As a cat owner myself I've been reluctant to use weedkiller because of this but I can't keep on top of it and it's looking a right mess.
Does anyone have any recommendations of a weedkiller that's safe around animals? Or any suggestions for other methods of getting rid of the weeds?
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Comments
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There is some good information here on weedkillers …. https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/pet-friendly-weedkillers/1
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kippers said:There is some good information here on weedkillers …. https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/pet-friendly-weedkillers/1
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I use vinegar, salt and washing up liquid to kill weeds in my garden. They die back in a couple of days.
Self Employed, Running my Dream Jobs2 -
I've used Weedol with dogs around.
Apply just before rain is forcast when it has enough time to dry. I used to do it in the evening.
Too be extra sure on a wide area I'd cover with netting just until dried.I can rise and shine - just not at the same time!
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Joyful said:I use vinegar, salt and washing up liquid to kill weeds in my garden. They die back in a couple of days.twopenny said:I've used Weedol with dogs around.
Apply just before rain is forcast when it has enough time to dry. I used to do it in the evening.
Too be extra sure on a wide area I'd cover with netting just until dried.3 -
I love that bottom-covering article from Gardeners' World. It looks like it might have been written by a moonlighting surveyor; a profession noted for their ability to cover every litigious eventuality in a manner which ends up confusing the reader.Glyphosate is a widely available chemical weed killer and is described as safe for pets to use treated areas once the chemical is completely dry. However, it’s important to note that the World Health Organisation (WHO) considers glyphosate to be ‘probably carcinogenic’ to humans, and that glyphosate is the subject of several international court cases relating to cancer in humans. This could mean that, while glyphosate is considered safe for pets now, the advice may change in future.So the WHO (not an organisation I trust, but YMMV) thinks glyphosate is 'probably' carcinogenic. What the article fails to mention is that this is at a level similar to the ingestion of barbecued or highly processed food, so look out if your dog steals your bacon sarnie! 'International court cases' also sounds impressive, but without context, it's meaningless. These are cases brought by people (not cats!) who used glyphosate frequently at a professional level and contracted cancer subsequently, attempting to show there was a causal link in order to claim compensation. It doesn't say if they were successful. Hack journalism.I'm no fan of large corporations who make chemical products; indeed I'd rather not use their wares if I can help it because they don't come cheap, but glyphosate remains one of the better weedkillers out there because it de-activates rapidly on hitting soil or water. It works by inhibiting photosynthesis,starving plants to death. That's why it takes a long time to see results and why it doesn't work well in winter.And despite appearances, as they bask in the sun, cats do not photosynthesise, at least not to to our knowledge now, though that 'advice may change in future.'
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Apodemus said:There is a lot of fear and hype about these products which is probably overblown. There is research (from the US) that suggests that the average pooch or moggy gets more exposure to glyphosate from pet food than they do from their environment...Not to mention ourselves. Unless one buys certified organic, there's no knowing when the product was used on crop fields or orchards etc.
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Rock salt .0
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Woolsery said:Apodemus said:There is a lot of fear and hype about these products which is probably overblown. There is research (from the US) that suggests that the average pooch or moggy gets more exposure to glyphosate from pet food than they do from their environment...Not to mention ourselves. Unless one buys certified organic, there's no knowing when the product was used on crop fields or orchards etc.1
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I was going to suggest an electric weed burner, such as this one from Aldi.
https://www.aldi.co.uk/ferrex-electric-weed-burner/p/817421620804200
It’s worth reading the reviews, as they are really quite amusing. Having read them, I can’t recommend the product.No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?1
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