Dandelion may look pretty but they are nothing more than yellow flowers. Furthermore, they can be a nightmare for your lawn. Once this flower matures, the seeds may fly away spreading all over the lawn. They generally grow in moist conditions but can also survive in harsh conditions.
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The dandelion weed will eventually spread and take over your garden. For this reason, it is important to kill the dandelions very early. However, removing dandelions can be challenging. This is because they are usually long and thick. The best and easy way to remove them is by using a high-grade dandelion killer.
These dandelion killers will take care of your problem and leave your lawn looking great. It can be a difficult job to find the best dandelion killer for your lawn. Fortunately, we are here to help. Below is a review of the best dandelion killer in the market today and a useful buying guide to help you know the evaluation criteria that matters when it comes to dandelion killers.
5 Best Dandelion Killer Reviews
1. Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed 3
- Up to 2X more powerful dandelion and clover control (vs. previous formula)
- Clears out dandelions and clover—satisfaction guaranteed
- Weedgrip Technology grips the weeds you see—and the ones you don't
- Scotts most powerful weed and feed
- Feeds to thicken lawns and crowd out weeds
Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed will do wonders for your lawn. It is a guaranteed dandelion killer as well as for other common types of weeds. It works in a way that it will get rid of the annoying weeds, while still nourishing your yard.
This product feeds the lawn with good nutrients so that they thicken, grow in place of the weeds, and later push out the weeds. It features a weed grip technology that will ensure that it grips all weeds, visible or not.
To use this weed killer, you simply need to water your lawn, then scatter the granules evenly, across the lawn. It kills all the dandelions and has been proven to be 2X powerful than most of the dandelion killers in the market today.
Pros
- Acts as a fertilizer
- Makes the lawn healthier
- Easy to apply
- Effectively kills the weed
- It is powerful and gives fast results
Cons
- You may have to stay off the yard for at least 24 hours after applying it.
2. Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D WEED KILLER, White Bottle
- Selective Broadleaf Weed Control
- For use in pastures & rangeland, lawns, golf courses, cemeteries, parks,& similar ornamental turf.
The Southern Ag Anime 2 is our second pick that works great if you have a dandelion infested lawn. It is a post and pre-emergent herbicide that eradicates dandelion and other varieties of broadleaf weeds such as chickweed, clover, etc., without causing any damage to your lawn.
To use it, you need to mix 2-3 tablespoons with 3-5 gallons of water, to cover a lawn of up to 1,000 square feet. You will then use a fan-type nozzle to apply with a low-pressure spray. However, because of the low-pressure spray, you will need to spray an area several times. This ensures that all weeds have been sprayed with the product.
This weed killer is highly effective. Therefore, if you are looking to get rid of the dandelions affecting your beautiful lawn or garden, then you should consider this excellent choice.
Pros
- Kills several broadleaf weeds
- Economical
- Great for large lawns
- Can be used in turfs, ditch banks, pastures, and also fences.
- Effective results
- Safe on grass
- Highly concentrated meaning it will go a long way.
Cons
- It May take up to 2 weeks to start working
3. Espoma Organic Weed Preventer Plus Lawn Food
- Made from corn gluten meal
- Feeds lawns to ensure a deep, green color and prevents weeds by inhibiting root development in seedlings
- Apply twice per year, early spring and fall
- Granulated for easy application, Espoma Organic Weed Preventer provides long lasting nitrogen for a thicker,...
- Children and pets can safely play on lawn after application.
This is a very common weed preventer that kills dandelions, and other common weeds, providing a long-lasting and green grass. Espoma Organic weed preventer will only kill the seeds, thereby preventing new weeds from sprouting.
The existing weeds need to be removed. This is because this herbicide uses corn gluten, which after breaking down, becomes a nitrogen-rich fertilizer for the existing lawn and weeds. So, if you don’t remove the existing weeds, you’ll only be feeding them.
Apart from that, this weed killer will also improve your lawn giving it a deep green color. You will only be required to apply it twice a year. Furthermore, it is also safe to use among animals and children. That's a really good thing
Pros
- Safe for both children and animals
- Effective on most broadleaf weeds
- An all-natural weed
- Enhances the color and protein content of your lawn
Cons
- Can't kill the existing weeds
4. Ortho Weed B Gon Weed Killer for Lawns
- Kills dandelions, clover and other broadleaf weeds
- Won’t harm the lawn - (when used as directed)
- Kills weeds to the root
- Kills 250+ listed weeds (See label for listed weeds)
- Results in hours
Ortho, a brand of Scotts Miracle-Gro, is popular in the weed and pest control industry. Ortho Weed B Gon is a herbicide that aims to eliminate invasive species of weeds like dandelions that would destroy a beautiful lawn.
It can kill up to 250 different types of weeds and won't damage your lawn. It guarantees complete destruction of weeds and roots. The results will be visible after a few hours. However, for larger infestations, the results may take a few days.
The good thing about this weed killer it will become resistant to water within 2 hours of application. This means that this product won’t flow off in case of rainfall or you want to water your flower beds. It is a perfect weed killer for places with frequent rains.
Pros
- Delivers great results within hours after application.
- Allows direct application without damaging the lawn.
- Available in multiple forms
- Kills more than 250 different types of weeds
- Great waterproofing ability
- Convenient for smaller lawns
Cons
- Weeds may regrow too fast
5. Tenacity Turf Herbicide - 8 ounces
- Tenacity is a systemic pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicide for the selective contact and residual...
- When applied as a pre-emergent, weeds absorb Tenacity during emergence from the soil.
- Target pests: Barnyardgrass, Carpetweed, Chickweed, Clover, Crabgrass (large & smooth), Dandelion, Foxtail,...
- Active Ingredient: Mesotrione 40%
- Date printed on bottle is Manufacture Date, not expiration. Shelf Life: 5-8 years from date of manufacture...
Tenacity Turf weed killer is a two-in-one selective herbicide that is ideal for both pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control. This ability makes it unique and superior to most herbicides in the market.
It can kill up to 46 different weed species, including broadleaf weed. It comes with a measurement syringe for accuracy and convenience. To use it, add 1 teaspoon of the active ingredient in two gallons of water and 3 teaspoons of surfactant.
The active ingredient in this product is mesotrione, which is a naturally existing compound found in the bottlebrush plant. It helps in hindering photosynthesis to happen in the weed species. The plants absorb it through either the leaves or roots
Pros
- Easy to use
- Effective lawn weed control
- Safe to use
- Kill a good number of different types of weed
- Available for different applications
Cons
- If you are not careful, it may bleach the grass
What to Consider Before Buying Dandelion Killers
When buying a dandelion killer, you deserve to buy only the best. For this to happen, you have to know what to look for. There are a lot of things that make a dandelion killer great for your lawn. The information below will help you choose the best dandelion killer for your lawn!
1. Organic vs inorganic/chemical
Dandelion herbicides are generally classified into two types, with each having its advantages and disadvantages. They include;
- Organic- It is environmentally friendly and safe for children and animals. However, they may take a bit longer to actually work and may also need more than one application.
- Inorganic/Chemical- Using a chemical weed killer to get rid of dandelions, has proven to be more effective and quick. However, they may be harmful to your children and animals.
2. Pre-emergent vs post-emergent
Once you have chosen between a chemical and an organic herbicide, then you have to choose between these two;
- Pre-emergent- These can attack the dandelion seeds before they germinate, thereby hindering the germinating process. However, they can't kill plants that are already growing.
- Post-emergent- They will kill the existing dandelion plants and control an extreme infestation. However, they can't stop the seeds from germinating and growing into new plants.
3. Durability
The best dandelion killers should have the ability to endure all kinds of weather. Some of them cannot be used when it rains or when it is too dry, therefore limiting the application time. Carefully read the instructions to know when you can or cannot use the product you are hoping to buy. If this information is unavailable, you can contact the seller or read the reviews to get this kind of information.
4. Effectiveness
A good weed killer should kill most, if not all different kinds of weeds. You will need to check if you can use it on the specific weeds that your lawn has. We recommend getting a multi-purpose killer that has stated whether the types of weeds it can be used on.
5. Selectivity
There are two types when it comes to selectivity
- Selective- With a selective herbicide, you can get rid of only the dandelions without damaging your lawn.
- Non-selective- Using a non-selective herbicide, means that any part that gets sprayed with also be killed.
6. Persistence
The persistence of either a selective or a non-selective herbicide shows how long it will remain active after the application. If the weed killer has a lasting effect and helps in stopping further growth, then it’s persistent. If it doesn't then it is non-persistent.
7. Liquid or Granular
Most dandelion killers are available in liquid form that is ready to spray with a hose. However, there are also granular or pellet herbicides. Granulated weed killers are easy to apply, although they are not safe if you have animals. This is because animals can easily consume these granules.
8. Price
Some herbicides for killing dandelions start at just over $10 while others may go up to $50. Ideally, you’ll need to have a budget. Most of the time, the price of the herbicides is dependent on the quantity of the concentrate such that; the higher its volume, the higher the price. However, this is not always the case.
9. Child And Pet Safety
Some chemical herbicides may be toxic to humans and animals. So, it is important to ensure that the product is safe and if not, ensure you take precautionary measures while applying it. Always read and follow the warning labels.
10. Dose Size
Apart from the price, this is another factor that determines the value of dandelion killers. The stronger and more concentrated the herbicide is, the more value for money it has. Highly potent herbicides mean that they achieve a lot with only a few tablespoons mixed in three to five gallons of water. Some less expensive killers may need half a liter to achieve the same results. Always check the dose size before buying a dandelion killer.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) on Dandelion Killers
1. How do you kill dandelions but not grass?
The quickest and most effective method of getting rid of dandelions is to spray them with a broadleaf herbicide that will not only kill the leaves but the entire plant without harming your lawn. Consider getting a selective herbicide rather than a non-selective if you are looking to kill the dandelions only.
2. What is the best product to kill dandelions?
Scotts Turf Builder is one of the best dandelions killers in the market today. It is a guaranteed weed killer for lawns that works for most weed types including dandelions.
3. How do I get rid of dandelions in my yard?
To get rid of dandelions, you need to follow the following steps;
- Dampen the soil with water
- After a few minutes, push the soil away from the root of the plant using a knife.
- Grasp the base of the plant pull gently
- Carefully apply one of the best dandelion killers into the hole after you pulled the dandelions.
- Fill the hole with a pre-emergent herbicide and soil
- Lastly, look for ways to improve your lawn’s health.
4. Does vinegar kill dandelion?
Vinegar has acetic acid that gives it the power to kill weeds. It is a non-selective' herbicide that will kill any grass that is sprayed as well as the weeds so you need to be careful while using it. Also, it can be harmful to your eyes, ensure it doesn't touch your face. It is an organic weed preventer option that is not recommended if you are looking to remove any lawn weed, without harming the grass.
5. What are the best ways to kill a broadleaf weed?
There are there main ways you can use; Hand pulling, using a selective herbicide, and using a non-selective herbicide. Either way, choose one that perfectly matches your needs and budget.
