Clever marketing and successful branding made Round Up the weed killer of choice. It’s also made it a primary target for litigation. Blamed for everything from autism to a drop in global fertility, the Bayer Corporation is retiring Round Up in the near future.
If you are looking for a RoundUp alternative, this article points you in the right direction.
What is Round-Up?
The Bayer Corporation owns the Round-Up line of herbicides. Round-Up's active ingredient is Glyphosate. Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide that kills most plant and grass varieties with which it comes into contact.
The chemical is highly-effective, killing most grasses, weeds, and vines with one application. Glyphosate eliminates weeds by interrupting the shikimic acid pathway. Once it interrupts the pathways, enzymes essential to life are no longer produced. Most plants and grasses die seven to ten days post-application.
Non-Chemical RoundUp Alternative - Killing Weeds Without Any Herbicides
While chemical herbicides are the most effective, they also make people the most uneasy. There are ways to get rid of weeds without chemicals like Roun-Up, but they always require more work.
Natural, Safer Round-Up Alternatives
Lawn and Petal has a great article with our Top 5 Natural Weed Killers. Be sure to check it out because it has recipes for:
- Vinegar Weed Killer
- Borax-based Weed Killer
- How to Kill Weeds With Cornmeal
- How to Kill Weeds With Rubbing Alcohol & Soap
- How to Kill Weeds With Boiling Water
Keep in mind that none of these RoundUp alternatives are as effective as the herbicide. Our vinegar weed killer recipe can take up to two weeks to work and may require multiple applications. But they do work!
Pulling Weeds By Hand
Some homeowners just opt for pulling weeds by hand–although we recommend you use a pair of gloves!
Seriously though, pulling weeds is extremely effective. But it is the most time consuming.
Alternative Round-Up Herbicides
All of Bayer’s branding and marketing of Round-Up comes at a price. Homeowners often have sticker shock after buying Round-Up products. Consumers are in luck, though. Generic alternatives are available at a fraction of the cost.
Bayer and Monsanto have decided to no longer produce Round-Up for residential use in 2023. Mounting costs from legal claims have played a large part in the company's decision to discontinue the product line. With Round-Up disappearing from the shelves soon, homeowners will have to choose a Round-Up alternative to fit their needs. Below, we will review several products based upon their effectiveness, cost, and safety as an outstanding Round-Up alternative.
Most Effective Round-Up Alternative
Eraser Max is one of the most effective Round-Up alternatives on the market. It features more Glyphosate per ounce vs Round Up, and also adds an additional herbicide: Imazapyr. The mix of two potent herbicides creates a super-charged grass and weed-killing machine! Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide, meaning that it kills almost all plants and grasses that it is applied to. Eraser Max is perfect for sidewalks, driveways, gravel paths, and fence lines.
Eraser Max is a versatile product that can be used by homeowners and professionals alike. Use eraser Max for routine lawn maintenance or total vegetation control. Use 2oz of product per gallon for common grass and weed control. For total ground clearing, mix 7oz per gallon. Always follow safety precautions and application rates on the packaging of any herbicide products.
Cheap Round-Up Alternative
Killzall Weed and Grass Killer is an extremely cost-effective Round-Up alternative. The herbicide features a solution that boasts 41% glyphosate, the same active ingredient found in Round-Up. Many Round-Up concentrates found at home improvement stores only feature 18%-20% glyphosate. Kilzall's product has a higher concentration and is half of the price of other Round-Up branded concentrates.
Killzall Weed and Grass Killer comes in 16, 32, and 128-ounce sizes. The recommended dilution ratio is 2.5 ounces per gallon of water.
Using Killzall Weed Killer and mixing it yourself saves a lot of money versus buying a pre-mixed Round-Up product. As with any chemicals or herbicides, always follow all safety and application instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Safer Alternatives to Round-Up
Glyphosate is one of the most effective non-commercial weed killers available, but that power can come with safety concerns. As with any chemical, precautions must be taken when handling, mixing, applying, and storing glyphosate-based herbicides. Non-glyphosate products are available, but they may trade some effectiveness for safety. If you are looking for a safer Round-Up alternative, we recommend using one of the products recommended below.
Avenger Weed Killer is an oil-based all-natural weed and grass killer that will begin killing weeds and grass in a matter of hours after application. It leverages the power of acidic citrus oils to eliminate pesky grass and weeds. The product is guaranteed to be safe for use in areas that pets and children frequent. Proper time should be given for the product to dry before allowing pets or kids to enter the application area. If you are looking for a chemical-free Round-Up alternative, Avenger Weed Killer is a product that you should consider.
Another non-chemical Round-Up alternative is Green Gobbler. Green Gobbler's grass and weed-killing power comes from vinegar. The vinegar in Green Gobbler is not the same as the vinegar under the kitchen sink. The potent version in the product is up to four times stronger than the household version.
Green Gobbler is a non-selective herbicide, meaning that it will kill any plants, weeds, or grass that it is applied to. Green Gobbler is sold ready to use and even comes with a handy spray nozzle. If you are concerned about the safety of Glyphosate, Green Gobbler may be a product for you.
