The Best Crabgrass Killer for Your Lawn
As you may know, crabgrass is an invasive weed that grows in lawns and gardens. It can spread quickly and can be difficult to get rid of.
In the United States, there are over 20 types of crabgrass that can grow on residential lawns. Crabgrass is a big problem because it's hard to get rid of and spreads quickly.
Some products on the market can help get rid of crabgrass. Weed preventers are a good option for people tired of constantly fighting crabgrass. Weed preventers kill weeds before they have a chance to take root and make your lawn look bad.
There are numerous varieties of crabgrass preventers. But which should you utilize? Have no fear if it is too late and your lawn is infested with crabgrass. There are still options available. Here are some recommendations for selecting the preventative that best suits your needs.
Table of Contents
What is Crabgrass?
Crabgrass is one of North America's most prevalent weeds. You'll find it around sidewalks, driveways, and even the flowers in your yard! This weed's strong, deep roots can extend up to 12 inches beneath the surface.
Although crabgrass is harmless, it can be unattractive. Consequently, many homeowners hunt for a means to eliminate it.
There are numerous grass forms, but crabgrass is one of the most problematic. It is short, grows rapidly, and is easily dispersed. It not only takes over your yard with its invasive roots, but it also dries out and sticks to everything like tumbleweeds after the summer is through.
Pre-Emergent vs. Post-Emergent Crabgrass Preventers
Crabgrass preventers come in two types: pre-emergent and post-emergent. Pre-emergent products are used before the grass starts growing. In contrast, post-emergent products are used after the grass has already started growing.
Pre-emergent herbicides are herbicides that work before the weed's seeds germinate. To be effective, you need to know what weed is growing on your lawn. They are usually applied early in the spring.
Post-emergent herbicides are very effective at killing seeds that have already sprouted. This makes them ideal for eliminating crabgrass in pavement cracks and along borders.
It is important to know if the crabgrass treatment you select will kill the crabgrass or stop it from growing. Thus, you can use it at the appropriate time.
Best Crabgrass Preventers and Killers
1. Syngenta Tenacity
Tenacity Herbicide is a weed killer that works on contact and stays in the ground to kill weeds over time. It is for use on turfgrass areas like lawns.
Tenacity is a weed killer that works well to prevent crabgrass from growing. It can also be used to kill other weeds that have already grown.
This product has two benefits. It can kill tough weeds and crabgrass without harming the lawn grass. You can apply it with a nonionic surfactant to help it work better. It takes less than ten days to start working after you apply it.
Pros
It includes a spray indicator color to let you know where you've already used it.
It works on a variety of plants, not simply crabgrass.
The best crabgrass spot treatment solution is currently available.
Cons
Not recommended for Bermudagrass or St. Augustine.
2. Priodiamine: Andersons 0.48 Barricade Herbicide
This weed and crabgrass preventer controls broadleaf weeds for a long time. It makes it hard for the weed's seeds to grow and the roots to develop.
Anderson's 0.48 Barricade Herbicide is a good way to prevent crabgrass growth. It can also prevent other plants like poa annua, henbit, and goosegrass.
This herbicide will not harm the plants that you want to grow. Instead, it kills the harmful plants before their seeds can germinate. You can use it on lawns, landscape ornamentals, sod farms, turfgrass, etc.
This herbicide is best applied in the early spring or fall. It is available in 18 or 50-lb bags. You can apply it without mixing, measuring, or fuss. It will quickly and easily get rid of your crabgrass problem.
Pros
It can be used on all kinds of lawns
It is effective against both broadleaf and grassland weeds.
Quick and simple to use
Cons
Within 14 days of application, it must be activated with half an inch of water.
3. Dithiopyr: Dimension 2EW Herbicide
This product helps prevent weeds before they grow and helps get rid of them after they have started to grow. It can help control annual crabgrass, goosegrass, foxtail, spurge, and bluegrass (Poa annua).
Dimension is an effective herbicide against crabgrass and many other types of weeds.
It is unique because it can be used safely in container-grown nursery ornamentals and landscape plants. This water-based product contains about 2 lbs of dithiopyr per gallon. It provides both pre-emergent and post-emergent benefits.
This product can kill plants like crabgrass, goosegrass, spurge, foxtail, and annual bluegrass. When applying this product, you should add a surfactant but know it is low-odor and non-staining. It can be used in a split or single application. It easily mixes in spray tanks for quick and effective application.
Cons
The surfactant must be used for maximum effectiveness.
4. Drive XLR8 Herbicide Crabgrass Killer
Drive XLR8 is the latest technology for getting rid of crabgrass. It is a water-based formula, making it better at getting rid of crabgrass than other formulas.
Suppose you're having trouble with crabgrass, even after using pre-emergent control. In that case, this post-emergent crabgrass killer by BASF is your best bet. It comes in a water-based formula that can eliminate broadleaf plants and other types of grasses.
This product is rainfast and will quickly be absorbed by your plants. It is available in quarts and pints and contains the active ingredient quinclorac. You can use it with a surfactant for even better results. It is also safe for pets when used as prescribed.
This product can be used on both residential and industrial turfgrasses. It is easy to apply, and you can use it as a spot treatment or a broad-use product.
Pros
Rainfast in under an hour
Multiple application sizes are available.
In addition to crabgrass, it kills other broadleaf weeds.
Cons
It's impossible to mow two days before or after using this product.
5. Pendimethalin: Scotts Halts Crabgrass and Grassy Weed Preventer
Scotts Halts Crabgrass and Grassy Weed Preventer is a potent herbicide that only prevents the growth of crabgrass, oxalis, foxtail, spurge, and a few other weeds.
Scotts is a good brand for lawn care products. It can kill most types of weeds and prevent crabgrass. It is not as good as others on this list, but it is still a good choice because it is more available in the US.
This product can be used in rainy or snowy weather and freezing temperatures. You can use it with a spreader. It is best to use it at the beginning of the season. This product is affordable.
Pros
In addition to crabgrass, it prevents lawn moss and most broadleaf weeds.
It can be applied in rain, snow, and freezing weather
Provides all-season control
Cons
It cannot be used during seeding.
Is a Surfactant Needed?
A surfactant is a product you put on weeds to make the herbicide stick to the weed. This will help the herbicide get into the weed and kill it.
A surfactant is a chemical that makes the herbicide "stickier." It helps the herbicide stay on the weed so it can kill it. Some crabgrass preventers come with a mixed surfactant, but you can buy it separately if your product doesn't have one.
Adding a surfactant to your herbicide can help it work better. This means you will not need to use as much of the product per application or apply it many times to get the same results, saving you both time and money.
Tips for Applying Crabgrass Preventers
There are good weed killers that get rid of crabgrass. But you must be careful where you spray it, or it will kill the good grass.
Using a crabgrass treatment as a spot treatment might be more effective. You can use an application sprayer designed specifically for this purpose to do.
Suppose you're overseeding your lawn to eliminate barren spots. In that case, you'll need to continue spraying the areas with herbicide to ensure the new grass survives.
Some crabgrass preventers come with blue dye. You will see this in the product description. If your preventer doesn't have this, you can add it to your sprayer.
Adding blue dye to your weed killer will help you see where you have already sprayed so that you do not need to use as much in certain areas. This will save you time and money (while reducing the number of chemicals used for environmental safety). The blue dye will not impact the effectiveness of your treatments.
Be careful when you use crabgrass treatments near edible crops. Many manufacturers make products that won't hurt plants grown for food. Still, reading the application instructions carefully is important to ensure you don't harm any organic crops.
Other weeds can be killed with some of the products listed above. If you are looking for a product that can kill multiple types of weeds, you should look for a crabgrass preventer that offers this feature!
Finally, remember that not all crabgrass preventers can withstand the elements. Most crabgrass preventers are rainproof for about an hour, but you should double-check with the manufacturer.
There is no one perfect crabgrass preventer for everyone. You'll need to study which solutions above will benefit you based on your existing lawn conditions.
There are numerous varieties of crabgrass preventers available nowadays. The best crabgrass preventers will control and remove your weed problem while causing no harm to your other plants. It's critical to pick a product that can be used whenever you need it, rather than just once a year.
It is everyone's dream to have a beautiful lawn. However, not everyone is blessed with great weather or soil conditions that allow this to happen. That's why we've given you some tips and tricks on finding the right product for your needs - so you can finally get rid of that crabgrass for good.
Visit this link to learn more information about Chemical Crabgrass Control.
Crabgrass Killer Buying Guide
Most of my writings outline the factors that must be considered before purchasing a product. This will assist you in selecting an alternative product if none of these satisfy your needs. Here are the most significant considerations before purchasing a crabgrass killer for your lawn:
Does The Product Kill or Prevent:
It is quite difficult to discover a product that can perform these functions. However, you should attempt to discover how frequently you can apply the product. Consider the cost of this venture if you are searching for a method to eliminate and prevent crabgrass from regrowing.
Will There Be Edible Vegetation Nearby?
Some manufacturers let you choose a product that will not significantly affect your edibles. However, I like to err on caution and keep these things away from kids. You should go elsewhere if you need to find a herb that preserves the food's organic status. However, these products target crabgrass primarily. If it eliminates other weeds, that is a major plus.
Additional Features:
As was just said, many of these chemicals can also be used to eliminate additional weeds. However, you need not always prioritize this. You should seek a multipurpose solution if you have a dandelion problem and a crabgrass problem. In addition, this versatility will be fairly costly, so bear that in mind.
I usually strive to determine if a thing is weatherproof, as this is amazing quality. If your product is rainproof for approximately one hour, it can also be utilized throughout the rainy season. As we all know, many regions have heavy rainfall throughout the summer months, making it more difficult to avoid the growth of weeds.
Is this item restricted?
You may frequently find the products if you live in a wide-open setting or a state with vast open landscapes. However, these items may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals; thus, they are prohibited in heavily populated places. Before purchasing any crabgrass-killing product, you should ensure that it is not restricted in your area.
Brand:
Last but not least, it would be wise to recall the brand. Numerous imitation brands are on the market nowadays, making it difficult to obtain a product of high quality. People like me have opted to crack down on many counterfeit products, and I'm showcasing the more trustworthy products to assist them in building their brands and expanding their business.
Considerations When Purchasing a Crabgrass Killer
Choosing the most effective crabgrass killer for your lawn depends on various criteria. Do you want a product that kills multiple sorts of weeds or one that especially targets crabgrass? Will the herbicide be used during the plant's growing or dormant season? Consider if you want to kill crabgrass on an established lawn or one recently sown. A last component of the selection is the number of square feet that must be treated. Consider the following choices before selecting the most effective crabgrass killer for your needs.
Compared to Nonselective
Formulations of herbicides can be either selective or nonselective. Herbicides that are selective target specific types of weeds, such as "grassy weeds" or "broadleaf weeds." The components in these weed killers should be harmless to non-target plants, such as lawn grass, and effective against target plants, such as crabgrass or dandelions.
Always read the labels on selective herbicides to ensure their effectiveness. Crabgrass may or may not be effectively killed by a "grassy weed killer" product. It may or may not be rated for use in the region where you wish to put it to work. Herbicides that are not selective kill all types of plants. These are excellent in places where plants are undesirable, such as mulched tree rings and driveway cracks. Nonselective weed killers can also be used to prepare for landscape restoration, such as installing new sod or constructing a new flower bed.
Application Procedure
Herbicides can be purchased in either a liquid spray or dry granules. Granules are simple to distribute uniformly throughout a lawn using a spreader that has been adjusted to the appropriate setting. Any remaining product can be stored in a cold, dry place until the next application. Granules are commonly used for pre-emergent and post-emergent weed-and-feed applications for lawns.
Liquid sprays are useful for treating large areas with a hose-end sprayer or small areas with a trigger bottle or tank sprayer. They are available in concentrated or ready-to-spray liquid forms. A ready-to-spray herbicide is convenient and reduces the homeowner's exposure to the chemical by eliminating the mixing step.
When spraying liquids, users must be mindful of wind speed and direction to prevent spray drift, which can cause damage to non-target plants. Plan a "route" to avoid walking past recently treated regions and transporting the chemical to other locations.
Compared: Warm Versus Cold Climate
The target weed and the efficiency of the weed killer are governed by temperature. Herbicides are most effective against weeds when they are actively growing. When the soil temperature in the spring reaches roughly 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the crabgrass seeds can begin germinating. The crabgrass plant matures in the summer and produces more seeds until the onset of cold weather when it dies.
A single spring pre-emergent application may be sufficient to eradicate crabgrass in cold climates. Crabgrass can be efficiently controlled in regions with a warm temperature by applying pre-emergent multiple times throughout the growing season and spot-treating with a post-emergent herbicide.
