With spring in full force, you may notice that weeds are taking hold all around your yard. Dealing with weeds may be one of the most despised outdoor chores because it’s a task that never seems to end. So just how do those weeds get in your yard, driveway, gutters, sidewalk cracks and garden – and what can you do about them?
Where Do Weeds Come From?
You thought you had the weeds under control but they seem to come back every year. How do they end up on your property? There are four main culprits to blame, none of which can totally be controlled. The wind blows seeds from other properties. Birds and other animals can transport the seeds and drop them in your gutters, yard or garden. If you don’t have roof gutter guard systems installed on your home, seeds eventually wash down your gutters into your mulch or yard. When considering rain gutter guard pros and cons, remember that they can help prevent unsightly weeds from growing in your gutters and yard.
Try These Weed Solutions
Whether you’re trying to prevent weeds or kill them, here are some handy tips you can try at your home.
Weed Prevention
Newspaper – If you are getting ready to re-mulch your landscaping, wet some newspaper and lay it on the dirt and cover with mulch. This will prevent any weeds from getting the light they need to germinate.
Anti-Weed Material – Available at most home improvement stores, these rolls of black felt-like paper also prevent weeds and may last longer than newspaper.
Carpet Scraps – The backing of carpets allows water to flow through but not the light. If you have carpet scraps, lay it carpet side down before your mulch.
Chemicals – Although many homeowners prefer more natural solutions, there are chemicals available that you can sprinkle or spray on your mulch and grass that prevent growth.
Ways to Kill Weeds
When you need to kill weeds that have sprouted in cracks in your driveway, sidewalk or patio, try one of these household items.
Baking Soda – Drop a handful of baking soda in and around the cracks to kill dandelions and prevent re-growth.
Bleach – If you don’t have baking soda, pouring undiluted bleach in the cracks will kill almost any weed making it easy to pull up in just a few days.
Vinegar – White and apple-cider vinegar can be sprayed directly on weeds but takes a few days. Just remember if it rains, you’ll need to re-spray.
Salt – Salt takes a bit more work but the rain may actually help. Boil two cups of water with one cup of salt and pour it on the weeds. If it’s going to rain, you can try just sprinkling the salt generously and let the rain do the work.
Vodka – Add one ounce of vodka, a few drops of dish soap and two cups of water in a spray bottle and spray weeds in the sun until the mixture runs off the leaves. This method won’t work with weeds while they’re in the shade so try this on a sunny day.
We hope this blog from Gutter Helmet helps you this spring and summer. If you’re interested in learning more about the many other advantages of roof gutter guard systems, call (800) 824-3772 today and we’ll connect you with your local dealer.
