I’ve never understood why a few weeds growing through the cracks of a sidewalk or patio were reason to haul out “the napalm”, especially when there are cheap, all natural ways to tackle the issue. Multiple studies have revealed that the chemicals and adjuvants (a fancier and more French-sounding way to say chemical enhancers) used in the popular weed killer Roundup are harmful to humans, animals, and the environment. And if you happen to be pregnant, you REALLY don’t want to be around this stuff.
So here’s an eco-friendly home secret the pesticide companies don’t want you to know: Vinegar- yes, plain old $2.97 for 2 liters Vinegar from Sam’s Club- works like a charm as a natural non-toxic weed killer. Just pour it on, and your weeds will shrivel up faster than the Wicked Witch’s legs after her ruby slippers were removed. (Can you tell I just re-watched the Wizard of Oz?) While you may need a repeat treatment to conquer all of your botanical intruders, doesn’t that extra effort beat unleashing a bunch of crazy-dangerous chemicals?
Another simple and natural non-toxic weed killer is boiling water. Simply bring a pot of plain old H2O to a boil and dump it on your weeds. And if you have any water left over, why not make yourself a nice cup of tea? A third option, though pricier than vinegar or water, is lemon juice. Spray it (straight up) on weeds, and in short order, they’ll be “deader than a door nail”- no toxic polluting chemicals required.
So the next time you think about rounding up the Roundup to kill some weeds, why not reconsider? Your family, your endocrine system, and your planet will thank you. And so will I!
Be well,
Organic Janet
Years ago, I had a friend who was always changing our plans because she had to be home for “the bug guy”. In my opinion, the only bug guy you should have in your life is if you happen to be dating the mascot for the minor league Salt Lake Bees.
Why? Because the chemical concoctions routinely sprayed throughout homes by pest control companies, as well as most conventional DIY products on the market, are all, well, pretty scary. Beyond causing skin, eye, and lung irritation, many of these chemicals are known carcinogens which cause detrimental effects to our endocrine, nervous, and immune systems. They have also been linked to increased developmental delays and attention problems in children. And, most liquid varieties come dissolved in a petroleum-based solvent. If you’re still unconvinced about the toxicity of oil, I’ve got some pelicans in the Gulf I’d like you to meet. Read the rest of this entry »
In case you missed it, The President’s Cancer Panel (made up of respected mainstream scientists not “crunchy” people like me) recently released a landmark report entitled “Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk: What We Can Do Now” . The 240 page document sounds a major warning bell about the impact of environmental exposures on cancer risk. Definitely not relaxing bedside reading, but if you want to scare the crap out of some kids (or adults) while sitting around a bonfire, it would work well for that.
So what did it say? Well I don’t want to be smug or self-righteous here- okay maybe I do a little- but basically, it tells you to be an Organic Janet. The Panel strongly advises that action be taken at the consumer, industrial, and governmental levels to reduce the risks of cancer posed by chemicals in our food, air, water, and products, as well as from radiation exposure. Read the rest of this entry »
As you may have seen, here in GA, we have been deluged with heavy rains. First, I wanted to extend my sympathies to anyone who had losses related to the flooding. I’m grateful to report that despite a creek that overflowed and a very soppy yard, my home stayed dry. But the rains set off a deluge of another sort at my house…Ants…the likes of which led me to ponder a possible future where ants rule the planet using humans as their servants…
The ants really were streaming into my home, even upstairs! And when I discovered them, they were in the process of relocating my cats’ litter boxes… Really! One grain of corn cat litter at a time! It was like something out of a horror movie- especially the part where I let out a blood-curdling scream at the spectacle before me…Okay, perhaps I was being a little overly-dramatic. Read the rest of this entry »
