Get matched with top weed maintenance pros in Colfax, IA

There are many options to eradicate weeds right down to the roots. Vinegar works, but it takes a week or so to do its thing, and the same goes for many commercially available herbicides. Boiled water is a quick way to kill off roots, or you can pull up weeds at the root.

Ultimately, pulling weeds vs. spraying them depends on what’s happening in your yard and your personal preferences. Manual weed removal doesn’t introduce any chemicals into your landscape, targets specific problematic plants, produces immediate results, can be free if you go the DIY route, and is inexpensive with a weed service if you only have a handful of weeds. On the other hand, spraying is often preferable for severe weed infestations and situations involving difficult-to-pull weeds because it treats multiple weeds at once, is usually more effective long-term, is less time-consuming, and costs less when done by a pro.

Very carefully. You should be cautious when using any of the above methods, as any one of them could lead to you accidentally killing desired grasses and plants. However, there are selective herbicides that can target certain plants over others. Look for a product that only affects the type of weeds you want to eliminate and spares the plants you want to keep.

All herbicides come with risks, but you can control and mitigate risks by discussing your options with your weed service company before application. Some companies use milder or sustainable herbicides more times per season to control weeds rather than one to two herbicide sprayings annually. You can also ask your professional about pet-friendly and kid-friendly services. In most cases, though, you can wait a few days after the application for the herbicides to soak into the ground, at that point they shouldn’t pose a risk to you or your family.