Weed Killer.

[Jennifer and Jack]

HI,

I know this has been discussed a lot but I didn't see anything about how long you keep your dog off the grass after you use it.

Since getting Jack almost six years ago, I have only ever used weed killer on the front yard.  I would do it every few years but NEVER in the back yard.

Well our development is newer and they are about to begin the second phase, they are handing out fines to anyone and everyone who's lawn does not look good and well maintained.

Today I fertilized as well as used weed killer. It says to keep animals away while it is being applied, to water it if it doesn't rain in three days and that's it.

For as much research as I can see, it says not to try to plan sprigs or sod for three months after application.  In my mind, I would then assume that the stuff is still active for up to three months… This is in my entire back yard that is fenced in where Jack loves to lounge around and play.

I was thinking two weeks would be enough, especially if I did a lot of watering but now I am concerned, (OF COURSE)  He won't step foot on the yard until I know it is clear, I will just leash him up and take him where I know weed killer hasn't been used.  

For those of you who live in HOA's or have lawn service as part of your HOA, how do you handle these toxic chemicals...

I just had way way too many to not do something drastic, and the fines are super heavy as they are trying to attract new buyers.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I think the directions say to keep pets off until the spray is thoroughly dried.  It is something I worry about also.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Great question, when my husband uses a weed killer we keep the girls off for 24 hours to be safe.  You might call a lawn care company and ask their recommendation to be sure about this.  Will be interested to hear what they say. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

This is a subject near and dear to my heart and one I struggle with a lot.  We also live in one of these neighborhoods and two of our neighbors are the pickiest about lawns and the "look" of the neighborhood.  Granted we chose this neighborhood because we like things to look nice as well.  However when we moved here we didn't have dogs nor did we know anything about 2 4-D.   2 4-D is the chemical that is in a lot of the broad leaf weed killers that is suspected to be a cancer causing agent in canines.  We do not treat our back yard with anything that has this in it.  That is because that is where the girls come in contact the most.  However, when you think about it you really can't avoid it unless you never let your dogs feet come into contact with any grass you aren't in control of or even really grass in general.  Most public places are going to treat their grass.  Your neighbors treat their grass and the wind can blow this onto your grass.  What you can do is control your grass as you can wipe their feet.  You can research natural weed killers and follow some basic guidelines.  

Ways to Reduce Your Dog's Risk

While there is no way to guarantee that your dog will not develop cancer, there are some proactive things you can do to reduce their risks -- especially when it comes to lawn care chemicals.  

• Use only natural lawn care products in your yard.  Examples are using corn gluten meal as a natural weed killer and fertilizer, or diatomaceous earth and boric acid for pest control.  Reducing exposure is the best way to prevent potential side effects.
• Be aware of ALL the environments in which your dog may be exposed to lawn chemicals.  Even if you don't use them in your yard, consider yards you pass when going on walks, the parks where you and your dog play, and other public areas that may be treated.
• Always wipe your dogs paws off after walks to remove any residue, and wipe down their fur as well if they have been out playing in treated grass.
• Talk with your vet about your dog's specific risk of developing Transitional Cell Carcinoma or Lymphoma so you can be more aware of the signs and symptoms of these cancers.  For breeds at highest risk of TCC, consider regular urine testing, especially after 6 years old, to catch cancer at its earliest stages. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sadly, 2,4 D is a known carcinogen and although I guess it' sim possible to avoid completely I have not used any weed killer on my lawn in many years. We have suggestions in the garden group about safer weed killers including vinegar.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks, I was trying to coordinate with when I go back to Boston and Jack is at my moms, in her community they spray all the yards and you don't have a say.

As soon as I spread it I was immediately remorseful.... I actually like the clover and the purple weed flowers... I should have pulled them I stead of polluting the environment....

I just watered the grass this morning as will continue to do so every day for. Few weeks and I guess go from there... I feel like I was lazy ...now I will leash jack up. There is a section on my street not treated that's where he will go potty...,

I actually didn't mind the wild looking grass but it's part of our bi laws and it got out of hand.....

I will never do it again. I will dig them out. We have centipede grass which is super dense.

F.... I will be looking at your ideas for my front yard which isn't treated ...but hs been in previous years....

Thanks again

[F, Calla & Luca]

The small weeds like clover are fine with me. If you mow regularly the grass looks fine too. I do dig up dandelions or if I am lazy at least remove the flowers.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I dug some of the dandelions up today in my front yard.. I have my lawn mowed regularly.  I don't know how long it takes but not a single weed or flower died in my back yard…...

I will be digging more weeds up in the upcoming days..

[Lynda Kamrath]

Big question for me also.  My biggest problem is the weed killer used by the agricultural community around here.  I planted lots of milkweed for the butterflies and it came up beautifully (some seeds and some little seedlings).  We do not use any insecticides in our yard or even fertilizers.  Beyond that, Harpo is very allergic to poison oak, and he cannot be around it at all so I always keep him on a leash.  There is some poison oak in the trees near us.  So, why no butterflies?  I have to suspect the sprays used on the fields around here.  Anyway, I took a couple of monarch caterpillars from the Harvey House in Salinas and put them on my milkweed at home.  They were eating away all day.  The next day - they were gone.  I looked everywhere and could not find them.  Then today, I saw a beautiful chrysalis on the Pride of Madiera plant nearby.  It is light green in color with a gold stripe around it.  So...maybe I will actually have a Monarch butterfly.   Toxic chemicals?  We try to avoid anything on our food plants and the flowering plants around our house, but I think they just (chemicals) float in on the air.  It's tough living in an agricultural area.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Yup, I am pretty unhappy with my decision to use weed killer at this time…. :(  Now I can only hope to flush it away, but the problem is it is going to go into the water system I am sure…  

[Richard Crowe]

My friends owned a recreational vehicle storage yard and had it guarded by trained Rottweilers.  After two of these Rotties died from cancer, he had a necropsy done by a California University vet school.  The result was that the Rotties had died from the effect of ingesting the chemical in the weedkiller, "Round-Up".  The storage yard was covered in gravel and he had been spraying weeds which popped through, using Round-Up. Apparently the dogs had been eating the weeds...

I used a Scotts brand fertilizer which included a weed killer along the exact safety lines that the company recommended. Both my large dog and my cat died from mass cell cancer.  I did not have a necropsy done but, will no longer use any type of weed killer on my lawn. I suspect that the weed killer was the culprit and decided to take pre-emtive action.

My animals are more important to me than a pristine lawn...

By the way Cocoa Mulch which is advertised as a non poisonous way to rid the garden of snails is deadly to dogs.  It is made from the shells of the cocoa plant (the substance from which chocolate is derived).  I had a dog go into shock after ingesting a small amount of Cocoa Mulch (which I was using because I thought it was environmentally safe).

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Ugg now I am sick to my stomach. Jack hasn't bern on lawn since I put it down..... So he hasnt been exposed. Except if he walked in other peoples yards. He will just have to stay out of back yard until I can flush it away.

I don't care if it months he isn't going back there..... I don't care about a pristine yard when I moved here I didn't have a dog.... Never dreamed I would have one, there are very strict rules here and heavy fines if you don't stick to it! jack made me a better person and more aware.

Thanks for being honest with me. I already have someone pulling weeds from front yard and at least he can go there

I am so frustrated I did it. But at least he has not stepped foot on it.