Rope Wick Herbicide & Wipe Weeds, Spare the Crop
Wipes docks
Enter your solution volume and concentration ratio to get the herbicide and water to mixfor a weed wiper — a strong wipe-on solution that dabs tall weeds above the crop with no spray drift.
Rope-wick herbicide mix
Next: fill the wick reservoir with 3.3 L of concentrate and 6.7 L of water, then set the boom 5–10 cm above the crop so only taller weeds are wiped.
Rope-wick concentrations are typically much higher than spray dilutions (often ~33%) because the herbicide is wiped, not sprayed; check the label for the wiper-specific rate.
Rope wick — key facts
- Herbicide
- volume × herbicide share of ratio
- Water
- the rest of the solution
- Typical ratio
- ≈ 1:2 (strong)
- How it works
- contact wipe, no spray
- Best for
- weeds taller than the crop
- Wick height
- just above the crop canopy
- Benefit
- selective, no spray drift
- Privacy
- Runs in your browser; nothing uploaded
Hit the weeds above the crop, drift-free
A rope-wick or weed-wiper applicator solves a tricky problem: killing tall escapes — docks, thistles, grasses, volunteers — that stand above an established crop, without spraying the crop itself. Instead of a spray, a wick or rope soaked in a strong herbicide solution is wiped directly onto the weeds. Because it only touches what it brushes against, there is no drift and the shorter crop below is spared.
This tool gives the herbicide and water to mix, the resulting solution volume and its concentration, from the volume you need and the ratio you choose. Use it to mix the right strength wiper solution every time and avoid wasting concentrate. Pair it with the Herbicide Dose, Dilution Ratio and Weed Control Cost calculators for a complete weed-management plan.
Spare the crop
Wipe only weeds standing above the canopy.
No spray drift
Contact application keeps chemical on target.
Mix it right
Get the exact strong solution every time.
Beat escapes
Knock out tall docks, thistles and grasses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a rope wick (weed wiper) applicator?+
A rope-wick or weed-wiper applicator carries a strong herbicide solution on a wick, rope or sponge that is wiped directly onto weeds. Set above crop height, it dabs only the taller weeds and never touches the shorter crop, giving selective control with no spray and no drift.
How much herbicide and water do I mix?+
The wick solution is a high concentration ratio, often around 1:2 — one part herbicide to two parts water. From your total solution volume and the ratio, herbicide = volume × (ratio parts of herbicide ÷ total parts) and water is the rest. This tool gives both from the volume and ratio you enter.
Why is wick solution so concentrated?+
A wiper only transfers a thin film by contact, so the herbicide must be far stronger than a spray to deliver a lethal dose in a single wipe. Common ratios run from about 1:1 to 1:5 herbicide to water depending on the product label and the weed; always follow the label for wiper use.
What is the advantage over spraying?+
Wiping touches only the weeds standing above the crop, so you control escapes — tall grasses, docks, thistles, volunteers — without spraying the crop or the soil. There is no spray drift, far less herbicide reaches non-target plants, and you can treat sensitive crops where boom spraying is not an option.
When is a weed wiper the right tool?+
It works when the target weeds are clearly taller than the crop, so a wick set just above the canopy contacts only the weeds. It is ideal for tall escapes in pasture, cereals, soybeans and similar crops late in the season; it is not suited to weeds shorter than the crop.
What ratio should I use?+
Follow the product label's wiper or wick instructions for the target weed — common starting points are 1:2 or 1:3 herbicide to water. Stronger ratios suit tough perennials; weaker ones suit soft annuals. Enter your chosen ratio and the tool returns the exact herbicide and water.
How do I keep the crop safe?+
Set the wick at least a few centimetres above the crop canopy so it only contacts taller weeds, keep speed steady so the wick stays charged but not dripping, and avoid working when the crop is leaning or wet. A correctly set height is the key to selectivity.
Does this work for any solution size?+
Yes — enter any total solution volume and the ratio, and it returns the herbicide and water to mix in those proportions, with the resulting solution volume and concentration. Mix only what you need for the area to avoid leftover concentrate.
Are the figures exact?+
The herbicide and water amounts are exact for the volume and ratio you enter. Real-world control still depends on using the right ratio for the weed, keeping the wick charged, and setting the correct height — and on following the herbicide label for wiper use.