How can you use diesel fuel as weed killer? Seeing weeds grow among the plants in your garden can be annoying. These unwanted plants grow vigorously and even outgrow or chock the desirable plants in most cases. They also attract ants and compete with real garden plants for water, nutrients, sunlight, and they eventually win.
Diesel fuel is a combustible liquid obtained from fractions of crude oil that are less volatile and used as fuel for diesel engines.
How to use Diesel Fuel as weed killer
Having had a brief idea of what plants and diesel fuel are, let me now focus on the topic by explaining how you can use diesel to kill those unwanted plants.
You may have been wondering and asking to know if diesel fuel can get rid of those weeds. YES, it can. It is generally toxic to plants, be it flowers, crops, grasses, and so on. However, you have to be very careful when using diesel fuel as a weed killer as it can cause damage to the wanted pants as well.
Diesel fuel does not only kill weeds in the garden, but they also kill insects and other microorganisms that destroy plants. However, using this method, you also get rid of microbes that of great benefit to the plants and the soil.
Can Diesel Fuel Eliminate Weeds Permanently?
Although diesel fuel can kill weeds’ leaves, stems, and roots, it does not affect the seeds. Whenever the applied diesel fuel fades away from the soil, the seeds will germinate, and the weeds will surface again. So, diesel fuel is not a permanent weed removal solution as it cannot eliminate weeds.
Items and Procedures for Killing Weeds with Diesel Fuel
There are items needed as well as procedures to follow when removing weeds from your garden using diesel fuel.
Required Tools and Equipment
- Gasoline jug or jerrycan
- Spray bottle for thick with direct spray nozzles
- Funnel
- Shovel
- Face cover and hand gloves
Basic Procedures:
Make sure to follow these procedures carefully once your items are all ready.
First, go to any filling station near you to fill up your jerrycan (s) with diesel fuel. Second, open your spray bottle and fill same up with diesel from the jerrycan.Third, spray the diesel on the roots of the weed till they are wet, and make sure the spray touches the leaves and stems of the unwanted plants.
- Fourth, return unused diesel back to the jerrycan and wash the spray bottle and other equipment and tools for safe keeping.
- Fifth, store equipment and diesel leftover in safe place.
- Sixth, remove the dead weeds using shovels to help prevent the rapid growth of the unwanted plants for a while.
Safety Measures for Using Diesel as Weed killer
Diesel fuel can be quite harmful to the environment irrespective of its usefulness in taking unwanted plants out. It can cause damage (s) if it is not well handled. Below are some precautionary measures to take to help minimize damage when using diesel fuel to get rid of weeds.
You need to be safety conscious by ensuring you wear a mask while spraying diesel fuel on weeds because it can irritate your eyes and breathing if inhaled.
Also, do not apply diesel fuel on the soil if you have well water because it could soak into the ground and contaminate the water in the well.
Furthermore, keep children and animals away from the area after spraying diesel fuel to avoid them coming in contact with it.
Another thing worth mentioning is that you should do the spraying in the morning and be sure it will likely not rain for a minimum of 48 hours. Also, do not spray around a fire. I am sure you do not want to set your entire compound ablaze.
Another thing you be mindful of is the safety of your flowers and other wanted plants. So, do not spray close to those cherished plants to avoid hurting them.
Furthermore, do not leave the leftover or store diesel in the spray bottle, but return it into the jerrycan and store in a cool, dry place where it will not spill. Also, avoid health problems by not keeping it in a place where you or other occupants can inhale it.
Finally, make sure you carefully label it for easy identification.
How Long Does it Take Diesel to Kill Weeds?
For effectiveness, it takes about 48 hours to kill weeds after spraying it. However, you will notice or have an initial result by seeing the unwanted weeds’ leaves wither within a few hours after spraying them with diesel fuel.
What Type of Weeds can Diesel Fuel Kill?
Diesel fuel is toxic to all plants. As mentioned earlier, it can kill any plant that comes in contact with, be it grassy weed or any other kind of plant.
In conclusion, you have to know where and what you want to get rid of if you choose to kill weeds with diesel fuel. Strictly follow the instructions given above and carefully adhere to the precautionary measures as well. If you follow the above-listed instructions, you can safely and effectively kill weeds on your garden, yard, or walkways.
Disadvantages of using Diesel on weeds
- Diesel fuel is inflammable so, be careful not to set your compound on fire.
- Careless use of diesel may result in environmental pollution.
- You may end up hurting your flowers and other useful plants in your compound.
- Spraying diesel fuel in the compound isn’t ideal for people who have wells in their compounds.