With the ubiquity of chemicals like Roundup, you’ve probably either used herbicides on your property or been exposed to herbicides somewhere else. Herbicides with ingredients like glyphosate or 2, 4-D have been widely used by homeowners, schools, businesses, and agricultural industries to control weeds since the ‘70s, and are widely presumed to be safe, effective ways to preserve gardens and farms across America.

The problem with that is that they are nowhere near as safe as most people think. In fact, Roundup, in particular, has been credibly linked to the development of several kinds of cancer, to the point where affected persons have been suing Monsanto and winning. And that’s not all. The widespread use of herbicides with these ingredients has been known to impact the environment negatively, therefore, it is being investigated for causing pregnancy issues, and more.

But weeds still need to be killed, right? And short of picking every weed out by the roots yourself, you still need a reliable, safe way of keeping your garden safe from unwanted incursion. Luckily, there are a number of organic, safe ways to eliminate alien plant life from your property. If you’re interested in learning more, read on. You may find that one of these affordable, easy-to-use methods works better for you than Roundup ever did.

1. Use Herbicides With Organic Materials

For the less crafty among us, you could always do your research on the brands available at your local grocery store and purchase a herbicide brand made with organic materials. While the most common commercial products are likely to have harmful chemicals in them as the use of these materials is shockingly unregulated in the US, there are brands out there that do not contain these toxic chemicals. A homemade solution would be best, but for those who are too busy to mix their own or more likely to trust the work of a brand, this may be the best way to go.

2. Spray Vinegar on the Alien Plant Life

While this isn’t likely to work on, say, mean green mothers from outer space, vinegar has a tendency to go straight to the roots of alien plant life and suck the moisture out of its leaves. Vinegar doesn’t work on everything, however, as it’s most effective on weeds that are only beginning to grow; weeds that are more established, or weeds with waxy leaves, won’t necessarily be affected in the same way.

3. Mix Vodka with Water, Spray at Will

Vodka works similarly to vinegar, although you’ll likely want to dilute it with a couple of cups of water and a little dish soap. Recipes for this mixture are available online, and a little research may be required, as mixing it properly is vital to ensure it has the intended effect. This method is more likely to work on plants that habitate sunny areas, as for some reason it doesn’t quite work as well on plants that dwell in the shade.

It’s also crucial to note that when using either of the above two methods, you need to find a way to protect the plants around the intended target before spraying. These two methods should be treated like Roundup, as they’ll kill anything they touch. Find a way to make sure the plants you want alive stay alive as it is not as easy as unblocking yourself from kickass torrent.

4. Boil Some Water, Burn Some Roots

If you’re concerned about putting any kind of chemical mixture on your flowerbed, you might want to consider this method. A pot of boiling water poured over the unwanted plant will scald its roots, doing irreparable damage to them and essentially eliminating its ability to draw nutrients from the surrounding soil. This is the lowest effort solution on this list and possibly also the least effective: if you find the affected weeds are still growing, consider any of the other solutions listed here.

Keeping Your Garden Poison-Free

This isn’t an exhaustive list of all the ways you can keep your garden weed and herbicide-free. If you find that any of these don’t work, consider doing some research on organic, easily accessible ways to get rid of your weeds. While it may seem more work-intensive than just picking up a $12 can of poison at the market, it will leave both you and your garden happier and healthier.