How to Use Cleaning Chemicals to Kill Creeping Charlie

Creeping Charlie, also commonly called creeping Jenny, is a ground ivy with bright green leaves. It was originally brought over from Europe to be a ground cover. However, since it was introduced it has proven to be invasive. This perennial weed can take over a garden or lawn, wresting the soil and water resources from other plants. You can kill creeping Charlie using household chemicals; more specifically, borax. It contains boron, which is particularly deadly to the weed.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 10 oz. borax
• Wooden spoon
• 3-gallon bucket
• 2-quart spray bottle
• Ladle
• Funnel

1. Determine the area of creeping Charlie you need to spray. If you know the size of your lawn or garden, you should be able to eyeball it. If this proves difficult, use a tape measure. If the area is less than 500 feet, halve the recipe in Step 2. If it is over 1,500 feet, double it.

2. Dissolve 10 oz. of borax into 4 oz. of warm water. If it's a hot day, simply use water from the garden hose. If it's cool out, run it from the sink. It does not need to be scalding, just about 75 degrees.

3. Fill the bucket with 2.5 gallons of lukewarm water. Slowly pour in the borax and warm water solution. Stir with a wooden spoon.

4. Remove the top from your spray bottle and place a funnel in the opening. Ladle the borax solution into the bottle until it's filled to within 1/2 inch from the top. Replace the top, making sure it is on tight.

5. Spray the leaves and stems of the creeping Charlie, being careful not to spray other nearby plants or saturate the soil beneath the weed. It can help to hold the spray bottle at a 45 degree angle to the ground and get very close in, within 2 inches of the plant.

6. Refill the spray bottle as needed until you have coated all of the creeping Charlie with a 1-millimeter layer of the solution. Let it set overnight. It should start dying off within 24 hours, if not sooner.

Tips & Warnings

• Borax is a common laundry additive. You can find it in the grocery store and most drug stores.
• Wear latex gloves and long sleeves when spraying the plants. Borax can irritate the skin, especially if yours is sensitive.
• Do not make more solution than you need. Overspraying will not help kill the weeds, and it could lead to soil toxicity.
• Discard any extra borax solution. Do not store it for use on a later date.

References

• University of Wisconsin - Madison
• Iowa State University