How to Make a DIY Herbicide Wand for Drift-Free Weed Control, Step-by-Step

A DIY hand-held herbicide wick applicator (or weed wand) can be built for around $20 using materials commonly available from a hardware or home improvement store. Its handle acts as a gravity-fed reservoir that lets you wipe chemical directly onto weeds without drift. Use this weed control tool instead of a sprayer as one way to help reduce the risk of herbicide injury to off-target plants.

Materials Needed

• ¾-inch diameter PVC pipe (4-5 feet long)
• Threaded end-cap made of ¾-inch diameter PVC
• Threaded male adapter made of ¾-inch diameter PVC that screws into the threaded end-cap
• Standard end-cap made of ¾-inch diameter PVC
• 45-degree elbow made of ¾-inch diameter PVC
• PVC primer
• PVC cement glue
• ¼-inch cotton rope (about 2 feet)
• Two rubber grommets with a ¼-inch drill hole diameter
• Drill and ¼-inch drill bit 
• Saw to cut PVC pipe, like a fine-tooth hacksaw

Step-By-Step Assembly

1. Prepare the handle. Cut the pipe to a desired comfortable length for the handle. (You’ll want a 6-10-inch section left over for the wick zone.) Prime and glue the threaded male adapter to one end of the handle according to product directions. Screw the threaded end-cap onto the male adapter as a removable lid for pouring the herbicide.

2. Make the wick zone. If necessary, cut the leftover section of pipe so that it is 6-10 inches long based on how large you want your wick zone. Drill a ¼-inch hole at each end (two holes total), making sure they are in line along the length of the pipe. Leave at least an inch of clearance at each end so that there’s room to glue the fittings. 

3. Install the wick. Insert the rubber grommets into the drilled holes, then thread the cotton rope through them until it is taught. Knot the rope on the inside so it cannot slip back through the pipe. Cut off excess rope if longer than two inches.

4. Assemble the wand. Prime and glue the standard end-cap onto one end of the wick zone. Attach this pipe to the handle by priming and gluing the elbow onto the remaining open ends of both pieces. Make sure that the wick itself is facing down.

5. Test for flow. Fill the handle with water first to check that the rope dampens evenly without leaking or gushing out excess liquid. 

Usage Tips

Pour a mixed solution of water-soluble herbicide (like glyphosate, 2,4-D or dicamba) into the handle. Tip the wand so the liquid saturates the internal part of the wick. Carefully wipe the exposed wet material directly across targeted weeds while staying at least 2-3 inches above desirable plants to prevent chemical injury.

WARNING. Some weed killers can be taken up by trees through their roots when applied to plants nearby. Always read the herbicide label for precautions regarding use around trees and off-target plants.