Lawn weeds are unattractive, but they also minimize vital nutrients from your soil, and the nutrients are there to benefit your grass, which makes the best weed killer for lawns very necessary. Pulling out the stubborn weeds, such as dandelions from your roots, can break them, leaving them to regrow later on, and applying a weedkiller may be easier to apply, especially if your lawn is full of weeds. The best herbicides will kill only weeds and not the grass but ensure you use the right one to avoid ending up with a dead and brown dead lawn.
Notably, there are tons of weed killers claiming to be the best weed killer for lawns, and it can be difficult to know the right one for your lawn. We have reviewed the best weed killers with their pros and cons and included a detailed buying guide to help you navigate the buying process.
1. Weedol Weedkiller for Lawns
Weedol Weedkiller, formerly known as Verdone, is a great home product for your lawn, and because the product does not contain Glyphosate, it's safe to use on lawns. It is the best herbicide for lawns, and it uses active ingredients such as MCPA, Fluroxypr, and Clopyralid and this works by stimulating the weeds growth hormone, which causes plant cells to grow faster can sustain. The selective weed killer kills weeds on contact and is meant to be used on weeds such as daisies, dandelions, or clovers, and they can take up to a week before you see results.
Weedol selective herbicide will target weed kinds that will spring around your grass area, and it will not compromise the lushness and integrity of your lawn. Even though it does not include its deployment method, the concentrated grass killer can be diluted easily and applied using any spray tool or watering can available. The concentrated formula is great for already established lawns, and it can cover up to 333 m2.
2. Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer
Scotts Halts Crabgrass weed preventer is a pre-emergent solution for blocking weed seeds from germinating in the fall and spring, and it's also safe to use all established lawns types. When you apply this selective herbicide during early spring when your lawn is dry, it will prevent any germination of common lawn weeds like crabgrass to spread. However, applying the pre-emergent weed killer in the fall will prevent winter seeds from germinating, such as chickweed and annual bluegrass.
Scotts Halts pre-emergent herbicide is fully weatherproof and will prevent grassy weeds or weeds without killing your grass all season. Fortunately, the product is quite affordable as it can cover up to 10,000 square feet (sq. ft). Therefore, it is mostly suitable for individuals who want to prevent crabgrass growth and other weeds such as dandelion, clover, or St. Augustine.
3. Spectracide Weed Grass Killer
- Kills weeds and grasses: Use on driveways and walkways, and around fences, trees, flower beds, shrubs and...
- Kills the root: Visible results as fast as 3 hours – replant new flowers, trees and shrubs the same weekend
- Rain-fast: Rainfall or watering 15 minutes after application will not wash away effectiveness
- Concentrate: Mix and apply with a tank sprayer – Spray to completely cover the leaves of the target...
- Money-back: Results or your money back – see product label for details
Spectracide Weed Grass Killer is a fast weed and grass killer that is a favorite among many lawn owners because it will kill grass and unhealthy weeds within 24 hours. The post-emergent herbicide is a fast-acting formula that shows visible results within 3 hours and has the shortest rainproof period of about 15 minutes to eliminate your weeds and grasses. Hence, the product will not wash away.
Even though Spectracide Weed is not an industrial-grade product for lawns, it will effectively take care of your lawn without killing your grass and effectively get rid of most broadleaf weeds and different unwanted grass species. It can be used on walkways, driveways, around flowerbeds, fences, shrubs, or trees and sprayed to the foliage of dandelion, clover, or ivy.
4. Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed Killer
- KILLS WEEDS & GRASS FAST - Eliminate any type of weed in just a matter of hours. Expect full desiccation in...
- SAFE TO USE ANYWHERE - Perfect for residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural use. Apply where weeds...
- CERTIFIED FOR ORGANIC USE - Completely eliminates and desiccates weeds and grasses without using toxic...
- POWERFUL FORMULA - NO potentially cancer-causing chemicals. Glyphosate-free. 20% formula is four times...
- 30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE - If you are not pleased, call or email us with your order number and we will...
Green Gobbler Vinegar killer is one of the best weed killers that are a natural option if you need lawn maintenance without harsh chemicals. The weed grass killer is glyphosate-free and is made with no toxic ingredients, with the main ingredients being ethanol which is distilled from corn grain and vinegar. Even if it's not made with harsh chemicals, it will still eliminate unwanted weeds such as moss, dandelions, clover weeds, and even white clover.
Green Gobbler is a non-selective post-emergent herbicide packed in a one-gallon jar that will cover 1,200 square feet (sq. ft). It can be used on sidewalks, mulch, flowerbeds, driveways, and concrete but always eliminates the weeds without harming the healthy grass. The killer can be used straight out of the bottle and does not need any dilution, and since it's a fast-acting product, you can start seeing visible results in less than 24 hours.
5. Compare-N-Save Grass and Weed Killer Glyphosate Concentrate
- Rainproof in 2 hours
- Visible results in as little as 2 to 4 days
- Contains 41-percent glyphosate
- Covers over 25,000 square feet
- Makes up to 85 gal. of ready-to-use spray. Note: Packaging may vary
Compare-N-Save Grass is a non-selective powerful, fast product that will battle the exterior of the weeds it comes into contact with and the root system. The weed grass killer is among the best non-selective lawn weed killers because it kills both broadleaf weeds and grassy weeds and eliminates over 200 other weeds from your lawn. In addition, it is among the selective herbicides that become rainproof within an hour of application as it will start working immediately, and it's the best for broadleaf weed control.
Compare-N-Save Grass and Weed Killer Concentrate will kill weeds in a large area of up to 16000 square ft (sq. ft) thanks to the 8.6% Dimethylamine Salt of 2,4-D Acid concentrate. Notably, the weed killer can be sprayed non-selectively during warm and cool seasons, and it's safe to use as a spot treatment for turfgrasses such as St. Augustine grass, ryegrass, Bermuda grass, bluegrass, and zoysia.
Which is the Best Form for a Lawn Weed Killer?
A lawn weed killer comes in two forms, and they include:
a). Liquid Weedkillers
These are the most common weed killer, and they offer plenty of flexibility in terms of application and they can be bought in two ways:
i). Weedkiller Concentrate
This form should be diluted in water and applied using a knapsack sprayer or a watering can, and they are ideal for treating your entire lawn either during the autumn or early spring season. Most killers should be applied only once a year, and different brands usually have different active ingredients meaning you can spray your lawn twice a year.
ii). Spot Spray
Spot spray weedkillers will not need mixing, and they usually come in a ready-to-use spray bottle which is perfect for getting rid of individual weeds. Also, you don't need to apply the best herbicide for lawns, and you can use them whenever you may need to be.
b). Granular
There are several granular weed killers on the market, and most come as a ready-to-use lawn feed and the product weed type but will rarely remain as a stand-alone weedkiller. If you won't have many weeds in your lawn and prefer to feed and weed products, instead of applying a separate herbicide and fertilizer, use one. However, if your lawn is inhabited with plenty of weeds, then a feed and weed probably will not be helpful, and you should use a concentrate instead.
What to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Weed Killers for Lawns
1. Types of weeds in your lawn
The first step is identifying the types of weeds you are dealing with to get the most suitable types of weed killers for your lawn. This is an important consideration because different herbicides are made to target different weed species better.
2. Emergence
Emergence is the weed growth stage which you must apply the weed killer, and they include:
a). Pre-emergent weed killers
These products are sometimes called weed preventers as they target the germinating weed seeds and kill them before they emerge from the soil as weeds. You should apply the pre-emergent weed killer to your garden or lawn before you start to spot weed signs, and they will form a chemical barrier of the soil's top layer that will stop the underground weed seeds from growing.
b). Post-emergent weed killers
These weed killers are also known as herbicides and are used to control existing weeds that have already emerged from the soil. You should apply the post-emergent herbicide to the stems or leaves of visible weeds in your garden bed, sidewalk, or driveways. The chemicals will kill weeds by destroying the stems or foliage by traveling to the roots and getting rid of the whole root system.
3. Coverage
This is the potency of a concentration, and most labels will guide you on how much of your lawn your herbicide will cover. However, you will need to measure your lawn's size to determine how much concentration you will need to control unwanted vegetation in your lawn or garden.
4. Selectivity
Selectivity is the weed killer's ability to destroy weeds while leaving the surrounding plants unharmed, and they include:
a). Selective weed killers
These products kill weeds but leave the beneficial plants in your vicinity, making them a suitable option for eliminating weeds such as thistles or dandelions on your lawn or flower bed.
b). Non-selective weed killers
This non-selective weed killer will eliminate weeds along with other plants present in the application area, and you should use them along your driveways, pool, sidewalk cracks. The location you use these products should be where you won't have beneficial plants at risk.
5. Translocation
The translocation will describe the movement of the product within weeds once it's taken in through the stems, leaves, or the plant's root, and they include:
a). Contact Weed killers
These contact killers usually destroy the plant part they get in contact with within hours or days of application, and they don't move within the weed when they enter it. These are mostly used on annual weeds such as crabgrass, chickweed, or nettle, which are easier to get rid of than perennial weeds or plants because they generally die when the stems or foliage is destroyed.
b). Systemic weed killers
The systemic weed killers work by moving within a weed after absorption and will destroy your whole plant from the bottom to the top. For maximum results, you should wait between several days and several weeks for them to give results, and unlike the contact killers, a systemic weed killer doesn't give a specific time that it will take to get rid of the weeds. Therefore, they make a suitable option for weeds such as ragweed, dandelion, or poison ivy, which are difficult to kill because of their deep roots.
6. Persistence
This measures how long after application the herbicide will remain in the soil providing weed control before reapplication. There are temporary weed killers that degrade in the soil after a few days to a week, forcing you to reapply the product often to keep weeds away. On the other hand, the long-lasting herbicide will stay in the soil, preventing new weeds from growing in the application area for months up to a year after application.
7. Safety for Kids and Pets
For parents, either for kids or pets, you should consider how safe any herbicide is for lawns is before you make your purchase to avoid any harm coming to your babies. Also, you might want to go with organic weed options than chemical options that may be harmful to your pets and children.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does it take for weed killer to work?
The best weed killer for lawns takes to work depends on various factors such as weather, type of weed, the type of chemical, and the temperature. However, with any herbicide you use, you should see results within two to four weeks of application, with some products working more quickly than others.
2. When is the most appropriate time of the year to kill weeds?
Weeds will be more active during the summer period, and many will grow well in the autumn period after the frost arrives. Thus, the mid-to-late autumn is the best time of the year to tackle stubborn weeds if you will bring the big chemical guns. The main reason you should use stronger stuff during this time of the year is to avoid harming pollinators or any young plants you would like to keep around.
