Weeds are unwelcome and unsightly. How many times have you seen weeds creeping into your otherwise beautiful garden? Perhaps you have tried a DIY weed killer to banish the green enemy. Weed killers (also known as herbicides) kill the weed plant by interfering with photosynthesis, disrupting cell growth or mimicking plant hormones. You will likely want a fast-acting weed killer to free your garden of weeds. Depending on the type of weed killer used, the weeds should start to die within 1 to 14 days of treatment. This article offers a closer look into how they work and how to know the best weed killer for your needs.
Different Types of Weed Killers
There are a few key types of weed killers, and they also come in two forms: liquid and granules.
Contact herbicides these fast-acting weed killers kill plant tissue on contact and often work within a few days. They are great for the top growth of perennial weeds and annual weeds.
Systemic herbicides these absorb and kill the plant from the inside. They are great for perennial weeds.
Pre-emergent these kill the weeds when they are seeds
Post-emergent these kill the weeds once they have formed
Selective - these kill only weeds and do not affect other plants
Non-selective - these kill any plant they come into contact with
Non-toxic weed killers are a fantastic option as they are kinder to the surface and surrounding plants and wildlife. Smartseal offers weed killer and moss stop products that are safe and effective. This way, you can rid your garden of weeds without causing harm to the environment.
Understanding Chemical Mechanisms
Most weed killers contain chemicals that inhibit chlorophyll production, which helps plants turn sunlight into energy. The plant cannot photosynthesise without chlorophyll and will die. Most weed-killing products contain glyphosate, which inhibits a plant growth enzyme. The plant dies from a lack of protein production when this enzyme is blocked. Ezoic Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide that kills any plants it touches.
Most pesticides kill weeds by disturbing their growth cycle. Herbicide is absorbed and delivered to the root system by weed leaves. The herbicide then prevents the plant from producing critical proteins, killing it. Despite killing existing weeds, weed spray does not prevent new growth. Apply weed spray periodically and target the soil surface where weed seeds germinate to maintain weed-free grass.
Smartseals weed killer is a non-herbicide alternative to traditional weed killer. It is fast-acting and effective while being kinder to the environment.
