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I have a 17 month old boy that loves to play outside. I just put weed killer down and I didn't see anything on the label saying when it would be safe for kids or pets. How long should I wait before its safe for him to play in the yard again?

Hazardous Ingredients:

  • Dimethylamine Salt of 2,Methyl-4 Chlorophenoxyacetic Acit 13.72 %
  • Trimethylamine Salt of 3,5,6 Triclpro-2-Pyridnylox acetic acid 1.56%
  • Dimethylamine Salt of Dicamba (3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid) 1.35%

Product: SUPER BRUSH & WEED KILLER

Material Safety Data Sheet: MSDS Sheet

Jared Christensen
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3 Answers3

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Read the label of the product you are using. The label will state a re-entry interval. Without the label we don't know what is in the specific spray you are using, so we can't give a proper answer.

GardenerJ
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  • Correct. Without specific data on the contents of the chemicals applied, how they are applied, their absorption rate under given conditions, and the specific environmental conditions, we can't even begin to guess how long it will be before the grass is safe for infant or toddler contact and play. – Adam Davis May 06 '16 at 04:54
  • @GardenerJ I looked at the label a couple of times but I did not see any re-entry interval. – Jared Christensen May 06 '16 at 14:46
  • @AdamDavis I used a sprayer that attaches to the hose. I set it to 4TBS per Gallon. I updated the post with the product I used. – Jared Christensen May 06 '16 at 14:48
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The MSDS lists three active ingredients, and another product, Bonide BK-32 has the same formulation (active ingredients and proportions).

Bonide BK-32's instruction booklet includes the following notes in various portions of the booklet:

Do not allow people (other than applicator) or pets on treatment area during application. People and pets may enter treated area after spray has dried.

If on skin or clothing

  • Take off contaminated clothing
  • Rinse skin immediately with plenty of water for 15-20 minutes
  • Call a poison control center or doctor for treatment advice

Users should ... remove PPE (personal protective equipment) immediately after handling this product. Wash the outside of gloves before removing. As soon as possible, wash thoroughly and change into clean clothing.

All of the above suggests that this weed killer isn't safe. I expect that if you follow the instructions and wear shoes on the grass after it dries, then you won't have any problems, but I worry about children who, barefoot or not, have a lot more skin to grass contact than adults in a typical outside play period. Particularly for toddlers and infants who may not only put their skin into contact with the treated surface, but may subsequently put their hands or other objects in their mouths.

Two of the three active ingredients I've found in the more common Scott's products which have more explicit information regarding kids, pets, and cautionary statements:

http://www.scotts.com/smg/goprod/turf-builder-weed-and-feed/prod11670004

Dimethylamine Salt of 2,Methyl-4 Chlorophenoxyacetic Acit 13.72 %

Kids and pets

Keep people and pets off lawn during application. Do not allow people or pets to enter treated areas until dusts have settled. Particles should stick to weed leaves for at least 24 hours after application, so it is best to limit activity from kids and pets for 24 hours after application.

http://www.scotts.com/smg/goprod/scotts-touch-up-weed-control-for-your-lawn/prod10590018

Do not apply this product in a away that will contact any person or pet. Keep people and pets out of the area during application. Do not use this product for controlling weeds in vegetable gardens, flower beds, shrubs, or ornamental plants. Do not use around fruits, vegetables, or flowers.

This product does not have a suggestion for when kids and pets can access the area after application. The notes about vegetable gardens could signal some bioincompatibility with humans, or simply that it kills vegetables as though they were weeds.

I could not find a good example of the third ingredient.

This particular product is a very strong weed killing product, though, and all the uses suggest that it isn't meant for lawns and play areas, but heavy brush or spot weed treating. I'd suggest you not use it as a general application for lawn and [play area use, but only for spot treating, or heavy brush/weed areas, and excourage limited contact until a week and/or a good rainstorm later.

Adam Davis
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I would say to be off the lawn for at least 3-4 weeks. The more water that is put on the the better in the sense of getting ride of the stuff. Because it will go into the ground more. But at the same time could delude the stuff. The longer, the better.

Ljk2000
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