Herbicides are an essential tool for gardeners and farmers who want to control weeds and maintain a healthy crop yield. However, herbicides can also cause unintended damage to your garden and your health if used improperly.
Here are a few signs that your herbicide may be harming your garden and even your health.
#1 Stunted or Yellowing Plants
If you notice that your plants are stunted or yellowing, this could be a sign that your herbicide is causing damage. Herbicides work by disrupting the normal growth and development of plants, and if they are applied too heavily or too frequently, they can stunt the growth of your plants or cause yellowing of the leaves.
This is particularly common with systemic herbicides, which are absorbed by the plant and can affect the entire plant. If you notice stunted growth or yellowing, it’s essential to stop using the herbicide immediately and find an alternative solution to control weeds.
#2 The Herbicide is Facing a Lawsuit
Are you aware of the Roundup cancer lawsuit? According to TorHoerman Law, one of the legal firms supporting the victims of the Roundup lawsuit, the Roundup lawsuit settlement amounts and payouts amount to over $10 billion.
This multidistrict litigation (MDL) is in place because, as the name suggests, the Roundup herbicide has exposed many individuals to glyphosate, which is classified as a human carcinogen and known to cause cancer. What’s more fascinating about this is that despite the clear evidence at hand, Roundup is yet to be recalled or banned in the United States.
Thus, it helps to know whether or not your herbicide is facing a lawsuit. Often, you’ll carry on using a herbicide without being aware of its impact on your health. Not even the manufacturers or concerned authorities will try to prevent its usage at times. Thus, only when you realize that there are ongoing investigations and lawsuits against this product will you decide to stop using it.
You’re only one Google search away from knowing whether or not your herbicide is facing any legal battle against consumers or the concerned authorities. Take this step if you want to avoid getting fooled or scammed by such manufacturers who will hide the truth to make a quick buck.
#3 Wilting or Dying Plants
Another sign that your herbicide may be harming your garden is wilting or dying plants. Herbicides can cause severe damage to the root system of plants, which can lead to wilting and death. If you notice plants in your garden that are wilting or dying, it’s important to investigate the cause of the problem.
If you’ve recently applied an herbicide, it’s possible that it’s the culprit. You should stop using the herbicide immediately and try to save any affected plants by watering them deeply and adding some organic matter to the soil.
#4 Damage to Non-Target Plants
Herbicides are designed to kill weeds, but they can also harm non-target plants if applied improperly. If you notice damage to plants in your garden that you didn’t intend to target, this is a sign that your herbicide is harming your garden.
For example, if you’re using a spray herbicide, it’s possible for the wind to carry the herbicide to non-target plants nearby, causing damage. To prevent this, it’s important to use herbicides on calm days when the wind is not blowing and to take care not to spray too close to non-target plants.
#5 Health Problems
Herbicides can also cause health problems for humans and animals if they are not used properly. Exposure to herbicides can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems, and other health issues.
If you’ve been using herbicides in your garden and are experiencing any health problems, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. To prevent health problems, it’s essential to use herbicides in a well-ventilated area, wear protective clothing and gloves, and follow all safety instructions on the label.
#6 Soil Contamination
Finally, herbicides can also cause soil contamination if they are not used properly. Herbicides can persist in the soil for long periods and can affect the growth and development of future crops.
If you notice that your garden soil is contaminated with herbicides, it’s important to take steps to remediate the problem. This may involve adding organic matter to the soil to help break down the herbicides or, in severe cases, removing contaminated soil and replacing it with fresh soil.
Herbicides exist to make life easier for us. However, don’t underestimate their ability to cause harm. The wrong herbicide or improper usage can lead to a great deal of damage both for your plants and you. Therefore, always exercise caution when using herbicides in your garden.