Weeds are a nuisance that affects everyone’s property at some point.
Arizona is home to hundreds of different weed species, and some are
even known to be invasive and noxious.
Your natural instinct may be to pull or spray a weed
as soon as you see them.
Taking prompt action is essential for stopping
them from spreading.
There are some mistakes that you could be making,
and checking for these issues will help you identify the source
of a growing weed problem.
USING THE
WRONG SPRAY
AT THE
WRONG TIME
With weed control, there are two main types of sprays.
Pre-emergent sprays kill weeds
before they sprout.
Pre-Emergent Weed Killer
Pre-emergents prevent seeds
from germinating.
They work best when you apply
them shortly before the prime
growing season.
Pre-Emergent Weed Killer
Post-emergent sprays are for the
ones that you already see above
the ground.
If you use the wrong type of spray,
then it won’t attack the right part
of the plant.
Post-Emergent Weed Killer
Post-emergent sprays stop the
plant from getting the nutrients
it needs from water and sunlight.
You can typically use these once
a plant has grown beyond just
being a sprout.
Post-Emergent Weed Killer
KILLING
DESIRABLE
PLANTS
We know how satisfying it is to
take vengeance on weeds,
but it is important to be careful.
Some weeds look like desirable
plants such as ivy.
Certain weed killers are designed
to kill all plant life that it comes
into contact with.
Non-selective herbicides might kill
your grass and leave you with
another problem to deal with.
Making sure that you know which
type of weed you have and how
the spray works protects your
lawn from damage.
PRACTICING
UNSAFE
CHEMICAL
HANDLING
METHODS
Pest control technicians go through
extensive training to learn how
to handle pesticides properly.
Although an herbicide might be sold
at your local hardware store,
this doesn’t mean that it is safe.
Wearing protective gear such as
long pants and gloves helps you
to keep the spray from penetrating
your skin.
The instructions on the label will
also likely include strategies that
are designed to minimize damage.
Spraying on a wind-free day not only
protects good plants, but it also
stops the spray from ending up
in dangerous places such as a water
source for animals.
Making sure to avoid spraying when
it is supposed to rain prevents
chemical run-off and ensures that
the spray doesn't get diluted to the
point of being ineffective.
LEAVING THE
ROOTS BEHIND
Many weeds such as dandelions
have extremely long roots.
If they are left in the ground, they’ll
just keep growing until you see that
irritating plant again.
If you choose to hand pull weeds,
then make sure that you are using
the right tools.
You’ll also want to check for the end
of the root when you get them out
of the ground.
IGNORING
THE REST
OF YOUR LAWN
Cultivating a strong and healthy
lawn can stop weed problems
from occurring.
It is easy to get so swept up
in killing weeds that you overlook
the other essential lawn
maintenance strategies.
Focusing on watering, fertilizing
and conducting soil treatments
as needed helps your lawn to grow
thick enough to block out
weed seeds.
Keeping weeds under control
can seem like an endless process.
Once you kill one set of seasonal
weeds off, you may notice a new
type emerging.
Putting together a carefully
constructed plan for handling the
weeds on your property involves
noting past issues so that you
can be proactive.
You’ll also want to keep an eye out
for new developments that signal
a need to implement new control
strategies to keep the landscaping
clear all year long.
Custom Weed & Pest Control
has been in business since 1989,
serving the greater Phoenix metro area
for both residential and commercial.
We offer an affordable weed and pest
control package, with customized
service to meet your specific needs.