How To Use Roundup Safely

Download Article

Roundup is a powerful herbicide that'southward great for eradicating weeds and other unwanted plants. If used incorrectly, however, the chemicals it contains could pose serious wellness risks. When applying Roundup in your g or garden, brand sure you're wearing long-sleeved wear and thick rubber gloves to protect your peel. Place the weed killer in a spray or watering can and employ the applicator to thoroughly wet the leaves of the plant you lot want to become rid of. Since Roundup can exist unsafe, you lot'll want to store the chemical somewhere off limits to minor children and pets when yous're done.

1
Look for a clear, windless day to apply the herbicide. Excess precipitation can dilute the chemicals and make them less effective. Similarly, windy conditions could cause spray to drift toward other plants that yous don't want to harm.^[1]
- If there's a lot a dew on the ground in the mornings where you live, concur off on spraying until most or all of the moisture has dried.
- Information technology may be necessary to reapply Roundup to an expanse yous've previously treated if it rains inside 6 hours later.
2
Equip yourself with the proper safety clothing. Change into some long-sleeved clothes that you don't mind getting muddy and wear thick prophylactic gloves to avoid getting any of the herbicide straight on your skin. You lot may also desire to pull on a pair of waders or rain boots, which won't soak up the chemical and cause you lot to track it into your home.^[two]
- Information technology'due south important to have a few bones safety precautions to protect yourself from exposure to harmful chemicals anytime y'all're using a stiff herbicide like Roundup.
Tip: While not a necessity, a facemask or ventilator tin prevent you from breathing in the fumes emitted by the chemical.

Advertisement
3
Fill a tank sprayer or watering can with 1 gallon (3.eight L) of water. Remove the pinnacle from your applicator of choice and run clean water into it from a garden hose or other nearby water source. Refer to the measurement lines on your applicator to know when y'all've added just enough water.^[iii]
- All Roundup mixing directions are formulated around a base book of one gallon (3.8 Fifty).^[4]
- If yous demand more or less solution, increase or decrease the amount of h2o y'all use in ¹⁄_iv gallon (0.95 L) increments and conform the concentration of herbicide appropriately.
4
Mix in the recommended concentration of Roundup . Follow the directions printed on the product'south packaging to determine exactly how much concentrated Roundup to add together. After funneling in the solution, identify the lid back on your applicator and brand sure it's properly secured. If you're using a sprayer, pump the handle repeatedly to thoroughly arouse the solution.^[5]
- The instructions recommend using three–half-dozen fluid ounces (89–177 mL) of Roundup for every 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water, simply you lot may be able to get away with using as little 1–ii fluid ounces (30–59 mL) to impale off small or sparse vegetation.^[6]
- A sprayer volition offer greater accuracy and allow you to only use equally much herbicide every bit you need, while watering cans tend to be quicker and more user-friendly for treatments that embrace a broad area.
Advertisement

1
Wet the leaves of unwanted plants thoroughly. Spray or dunk the foliage with a liberal amount of herbicide. You desire to use plenty to soak the leaves completely, but non enough to cause pooling or runoff. Do this for every office of your yard or garden where invasive plants are trouble.^[vii]
- Targeting the leaves of the plant ensures that the chemicals go captivated and make their way downward to the roots, choking out the constitute at its source.
- Over-applying Roundup isn't just wasteful, information technology could also put nearby desirable plants at gamble.^[8]
Tip: Y'all tin use Roundup on all actively growing plants, including weeds, grasses, shrubs, and even small copse.
2
Launder or clip plants that you spray accidentally. If y'all happen to get Roundup on a plant that you don't want to eliminate from your yard or garden, pour clean water over the leaves repeatedly to launder off equally much of the herbicide equally possible. You lot tin as well snip off the affected leaf using a pair of hand shears or scissors.^[9]
- Keep in mind that even a small amount of Roundup may exist enough to severely weaken healthy plants.
3
Wait one-iv weeks for the targeted plants to dice off. Afterward applying Roundup in your yard or garden, y'all should notice information technology beginning to take effect within near a calendar week. You'll know it's working when the edges of the leaves start to droop or wilt and become dry and brown.^[x]
- Roundup works all-time on plants that are actively growing, and then if the institute yous sprayed has been stunted by wintertime weather or drought, it may accept closer to iii or iv weeks earlier you see results.
four
Employ a more than powerful production if your unwanted plants don't stay gone. A single use should be enough to wipe out virtually plants. If you notice a targeted plant returning, even so, or if a new one pops upwardly in its place, it might help to treat the area once again using an extended control formula. This will banish even the peskiest species for practiced.^[xi]
- Maximum strength and extended command products usually only need to be applied once a yr to be constructive.
Advertisement

1
Clean out your sprayer or watering can between uses. Bleed any unused herbicide into an out-of-the-way patch of dirt or gravel, where it will bind to the soil and brainstorm deteriorating. Fill up your sprayer or watering tin with clean water and agitate it before letting it sit down for five-10 minutes. Affluent out the diluted chemicals by triggering or pouring out the applicator.^[12]
- Cleaning an herbicide applicator can be messy work. Ever gear upwardly with gloves, eye protection, and waders or rain boots to protect yourself from misting and splashing.
- Glyphosate, the main chemical ingredient in Roundup, is water soluble and breaks down fairly quickly, and then it's not necessary to use boosted cleaning agents similar ammonia or detergents.^[thirteen]
two
Shop your Roundup in a cool, dry place. The chemicals in Roundup will stay effective longest when kept at or around room temperature. In virtually cases, a garage or work shed will work just fine. You can also stash unopened herbicide under the sink or in a closet with your household cleaning products.^[14]
- When stored correctly, concentrated Roundup tin maintain its authorization for as long as two-3 years.
iii
Keep Roundup out of the reach of children and pets. Glyphosate can exist toxic if inhaled or ingested. If yous have inquisitive kids or fur babies at habitation, be sure to situate the container on a high shelf or put it away inside a cabinet, shed, or toolbox to keep them from getting into information technology.^[xv]
- Symptoms associated with exposure to unsafe levels of glyphosate include dizziness, skin irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.^[xvi]
Tip: If y'all think your child or pet might accept come into contact with Roundup, call the Poison Control service for your area or get them to a hospital or veterinary clinic right abroad.
4
Dispose of your empty Roundup container outside. When you've gone through the last of your Roundup, refill the bottle with make clean water and shake it thoroughly to dilute any remaining chemical residue. Dump the contents in an open patch of soil, then replace the lid and deposit the bottle in an outdoor trash receptacle a prophylactic distance away from your home.^[17]
- Don't throw away an empty Roundup container indoors. Doing and so could contaminate your trash with traces of the herbicide.
- Ever utilise up an entire container before ownership a new one to preclude chemicals from accumulating in your home.
Ad

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Roundup is likewise sold in pre-mixed handheld spray bottles that go far piece of cake to spot-treat pocket-size areas around your yard or garden.
In addition to larger plants, you tin can as well employ Roundup to control the spread of lichens, moss, and scrub brush.

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Never dispose of backlog herbicide or clean out your sprayer, watering tin can, or production container anywhere that your children or pets might venture.
Whether or not Roundup is safe is the subject area of much ongoing debate. Some studies merits to take linked its main ingredient, glyphosate, to serious wellness risks, including birth defects, Parkinson's Disease, Lou Gehrig's Disease, and bowel-related illness.^[18]