I never use those toxins, they are overkill. Use garden grade (30%) vinegar, available at Home Depot, and if not on store shelves, by special order arriving within a few days. Thanks for bringing this up!

Thank goodness you’re one who takes care of their corner lot. Most in my neighborhood could use some dog poop to hide all the weeds the corner owners don’t seem to care about. Also, thankfully my neighborhood picks up after their dogs and everyone knows everyone! I also like butterflies so I’d never use that horrific cancer killer roundup.

Perhaps walking your pet in YOUR OWN PRISTINE YARD , might be a somewhat a solution. Looking from an another point of view,

Stay off other peoples property. Don’t let your animals in your home until you scrub them down. Easy peasy. lol.

I don't see where it is excluded :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

For those suffering pernicious chemophobia, relocate to a sterilized cave in a remote desert, HEPA filter your air and use a reverse osmosis system for your water. Hydroponic vegies and trap passing varmints for your meat. Stay out of the sun!

There are 2 suggestions…. 1.keep your pet off of people’s lawn or 2. Put booties on your pets paws…..

Non toxic alternative
 

Yes too many poisons and toxic products - don’t forget pesticides on food

There are non toxic alternative weed killer and lawn care products

Sold both at Home Depot and Lowe’s. Vinegar and or salt base. Both work great Weeds dead same day

I try to reduce health risks for me and my community by always looking for alternatives to deadly chemicals

Can’t believe so many people responded with snide comments. This would be a better forum if they responded to the issue instead of trying to be rude or sarcastic or what they think is funny.

Since purchasing our home 6 years ago, I’ve limited the amount of poisons sprayed directly into the garden areas. Some plant diseases really resist neem oils and other not so toxic products so I’ve lost them consequently. My MIL taught me early on; if you have to use a lot of chemicals to help your plants survive, let them die and plant those that are more hardy.
We do spot spay the lawn and trees when we really have to. It isn’t possible to wait out the cycle of infestation and nature’s response here in TV without being unsightly. As for the lawn, you can change it out to a more natural landscape perhaps? Good luck.

I'm truly grateful you brought this up. It's not only affecting our animals; these harmful chemicals are also leaching into our water and air. I'm actively on the lookout for alternative, eco-friendly fertilizers for my lawn and appreciate any advice.

On a related note, rather than using toxic sprays, I've opted for old-fashioned and cost-effective Harris Boric Acid Roach Tablets, and I've hardly spotted any roaches in my house.

Dog friendly?
 

I hear all this stuff about The Villages being a "Dog friendly Community". Boy oh boy, reading things here I can see that is definitely not the case. I see a few dogs here and there but not a huge population by any means. I guess when you want to exercise a dog you carry them to your car, drive 37.2 miles away to a rare area with 0 population, let them get their exercise then return.

Too many people don't care about the internal self. When one doesn't care about the damage these forever chemicals do to every living being, it's a true testament to the demise of humanity. Oh but I have a perfect looking lawn and cancer.

I agree, too many chemicals are used for stupid lawns. I read that article yesterday and thought about all the animals that eat grass, and walk on it, like Gopher Tortoises. It's sad that so many here thought attacking the OP was the way to go. The poisons go into lakes and waterways. Forget snakes, coyotes, gators....humans are the deadliest animal in Florida.

What's up with all the negativity?

I think most Villagers are very dog friendly, it's the irresponsible dog owners that are the problem.

When I moved here in January of 2023 I was told I absolutely had to have a pest control company for inside my home and outside or I’d be overrun with various insects. I was also told I needed to hire a company to fertilize my lawn and spray for weeds and insects. Coming from CT, I had no experience or knowledge but I knew one thing for certain… I’m not spraying chemicals inside or outside my home if I can avoid it! So what did I do? I spoke with Master Gardeners from the University of Florida and attended the classes they offer locally. I found a very knowledgeable woman named Lisa Sanderson and she has graciously guided me over the past year. Has it been challenging? Absolutely! Has it been time consuming? Most definitely! However, my lawn looks amazing and I’ve successfully dealt with a few nests of Palmetto bugs (which I absolutely despise), sugar ants and aphids. Diatomaceous earth, Borax and powdered sugar work wonders and are non-toxic. I also ordered traps from Amazon that helped as well. I planted numerous pollinator plants in my gardens to help support the bees, butterfly’s etc. My lawn and gardens are flourishing and I’m incredibly happy to be successful when I was repeatedly told it couldn’t be done.

Regarding Roundup, just because a smart attorney convinces 12 stupid jurors that a product causes cancer doesn't mean that it does. Where is the bona fide research to prove it?

All very valid points and we’ll written - I want to be your friend!

What is your recommendation for controlling Dollarweed in your lawn?

Chemicals aren't "evil". They just need to be used responsibly.
IMHO, life causes death. Can't have one without the other. How long we live depends on how well we navigate through our life by the choices we do or don't make, and of course our genetic makeup.

I don’t read it that way at all. It’s responsible vs irresponsible....respect vs disrespect.....my lawn is your (dogs) lawn. There are plenty of dog parks and ‘amenities’ for your fur baby....if they don’t meet your criteria, enjoy the road trip.

Make sure that the rats, squirrels, birds, bobcats, racoons etc get notified because they are happily pooping and peeing on your lawn every day.

I keep a bag of diatomaceous earth on the lanai for those rare bursts of "crazy ant" activity in the house. The best thing about it, is it doesn't ever expire. It's basically inert clay powder. It's also good for the soil, if you have significant fire ant hills. Just dump a teaspoon's worth into the hole in the hill, and sprinkle another tablespoon around the hill. The ants dehydrate and die, their exoskeletons fertilize the area, and the clay restores the soil balance, all of which allows the grass to return to the previously-stripped hill.

Just for comparison, how long have ‘snakes, coyotes, gators’ been on our planet.....and they have the ‘We’re still here’ t shirts to prove it. Only dinosaurs have suffered that distinction or extinction. Humanity and the animals that surround it always figure it out....and coexist!

Don't control it. You could, instead, do two possible things:

1. You can mow it along with the rest of the "crap they pretend is grass and call a lawn" here in Florida. From a distance, no one will know the difference. It's the same color green as St. Augustine.

2. Go 100% organic, with zero pesticides on your lawn, and then harvest the dollarweed (also known as pennywort). You can stir-fry it with shallots and add to a savory dish, or even nibble on it raw. It's been used for centuries to lower blood pressure, and has a slightly bitter, spicy flavor to it. Leaf and stem, 100% edible. UNLESS you use pesticides.

Can’t wait for the chlorinated vs salt water pool threads. Just want to cross reference and take attendance! Smh

Yes, humanity and animals just "figure it out". Tell that to the many millions of each group who have died from the naivete and ignorance of the public and the unbridled greed of multinational corporations who don't give a flip about poisoning.

Do some reading: Silent Spring - Wikipedia

As a vivid illustration of those points ^^, enjoy these charming retro images: https://www.reddit.com/r/70s/comment...uito_truck_in/

Are grubs also edible?

We spray our weeds with commercial grade vinegar from Lowe’s or Amazon. Works especially well in rock beds , patio, driveway. Just be careful not to spray on a windy day as it will kill or damage whatever it touches. NO MORE ROUNDUP!!!

they sure are ,you would no that if you ever went to Ranger School LOL

Also raw rabbit eye balls are good protein.

PETA alert!
Can someone let J Lo know her mittens are ready!*


*paraphrasing an old comedian Nick Dipaolo joke

Glyphosate Possibly cancerous
 

The topic of glyphosate and its potential link to cancer has been a subject of extensive research and debate. Here’s a summary of the evidence and positions from various health agencies:
Studies and Legal Challenges: Glyphosate, an active ingredient in many herbicides, has been the subject of many studies and legal challenges regarding its potential to cause cancer, specifically non-Hodgkin lymphoma1.
Conflicting Research: While some studies, like one from the University of Washington in 2019, suggest that using glyphosate increases the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma by 41%2, the majority of research worldwide has found no connection between glyphosate and cancer risk.
Health Agencies’ Stance:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states there is "no evidence that glyphosate causes cancer in humans"1.
Health Canada reports that glyphosate does not cause damage to human DNA1.
The European Food Safety Authority did not identify any critical areas of concern regarding glyphosate1.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority considers glyphosate products safe when label instructions are followed1.
However, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” in 20151.
Recent Findings: A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that high levels of glyphosate in urine were associated with signs of oxidative stress, a condition that can cause damage to DNA and is considered a key characteristic of carcinogens3.
It’s important to note that the research is ongoing, and while there are studies that suggest a potential link, the consensus among most health agencies is that there is no definitive evidence that glyphosate causes cancer. The debate continues as new research emerges.

Belittling those with genuine environmental concerns helps in what way??

Having a healthy and friendly environment helps.

Hard work on hands and knees digging it out?

I remember the DDT "everywhere" period in UK. We had strips in the house, 'Flit Guns' for spraying any flying bug venturing within range, and the garden looked like white flour grading festival gone mad!

My wife and I have drastically altered our pest and disease control in our garden over the years.
Butterflies and bees are rapidly in decline here from pesticides etc. Nothing like the numbers from my formative years.
We have turned to hand weeding, companion planting, and most plants are bee and butterfly friendly. Most aphids, black and green flies etc can be removed by hand.
Hard work at times, but just a little payback from us for the damage we caused in ignorance years ago.

Well, on my street more than half owners have dogs. But what they don’t do, is let their dogs go on other people’s property, or when grand kids come. They wait for an invitation. If you don’t think that is necessary, you’re in the wrong place.