Homemade Herbicide Applicators
Herbicides are chemicals devised to kill weeds. There are various types of herbicides and many ways to apply them to weeds. The most common types of applicators are garden sprayers and herbicide wicks; however, these types of applicators can be costly, especially after purchasing the herbicide as well. A more cost-effective solution is to make your own herbicide applicator using materials commonly found at a hardware store. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Clear spray bottle
- Measuring cup
- Permanent marker
- Miter saw
- 40-inch PVC pipe (3/4-inch diameter)
- Three 3/4-inch male threaded PVC pipe ends
- 3/4-inch PVC T-fitting
- PVC cement
- 9/16-inch spade drill bit
- Drill
- Lighter
- 16-inch braided nylon rope (5/8-inches thick)
- 10-feet cotton string
- Scissors
- Three 3/4-inch PVC caps (screw-on)
Instructions
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Spray Applicator
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1
Fill the measuring cup with water to the first measurement mark. This mark is generally 4 ounces.
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2
Pour the water in a clear spray bottle. Use a marker to mark the depth of the water in the spray bottle.
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3
Remove the water from the spray bottle. Fill the measuring cup to the measurement following 4 ounces, which is usually 8 ounces, and pour the water from the measuring cup into the spray bottle. Mark the new measurement with a marker on the spray bottle.
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4
Repeat the procedures in Steps 1 to 3 to mark all the measurements from the measuring cup on the spray bottle.
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5
Add the herbicide mixture into the spray bottle according to the label directions. Screw the nozzle back onto the spray bottle. Turn the nozzle to a low spray setting to spray the herbicide.
Herbicide Wick
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6
Use a miter saw to cut a 4-inch piece of the 40-inch PVC pipe. Cut this piece in half to make two 2-inch pieces.
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7
Attach the neck of a PVC T-fitting to one of the ends of the 36-inch PVC pipe. Secure the fitting to the pipe with PVC cement.
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8
Affix one of the ends from the first male threaded PVC pipe end into the free end of the 36-inch pipe. Secure the connection with PVC cement.
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9
Insert the first 2-inch PVC pipe pieces into one of the openings in the fitting. Insert the second 2-inch pipe into the remaining opening in the T-fitting. Secure all connections with PVC cement.
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10
Attach the second male threaded pipe end onto the unoccupied end of the first 2-inch PVC pipe. Attach the third male threaded pipe end onto the free end of the second 2-inch PVC pipe. Use PVC cement to secure the pipe ends to the PVC pipes.
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11
Allow enough time for the PVC cement to dry. Read the label on the cement to determine the drying time.
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12
Insert a 9/16-inch spade drill bit into a drill. Use the drill to make a hole in each end of two PVC screw-on caps.
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13
Use a lighter to lightly melt both ends of a 16-inch nylon rope to harden the ends and keep the rope from fraying.
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14
Thread each end of the nylon rope through the holes in the screw-on caps. Pull approximately an inch of the rope through each cap.
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15
Cut two pieces of cotton string approximately 3 inches long. Wrap each string around each end of the rope tightly. The string will be pulled inside the end cap.
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16
Insert the ends of the rope into the PVC pipe and tighten the screw-on caps. The cotton strings will be compressed and prevent the rope ends from pulling out.
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17
Fill the 36-inch PVC pipe with the herbicide mix and screw on the remaining PVC cap on the top of the T-fitting.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use a piece of scrap cardboard to block the spray from spraying onto desirable plants by holding it in place beside the weeds while you are spraying them.
Always rinse out the spray bottle and herbicide wick after use with water.
Keep the herbicide applicators and herbicide mixtures out of reach of children.
Use caution when applying and spraying herbicide. Wear protective clothing such as gloves, a long-sleeve shirt and pants as well as safety goggles.
References
- Photo Credit Flower and Weeds image by Towards Ithaca from Fotolia.com
