10 Best Weed Killers and Herbicides For Lawns: Reviews

Has your perfectly groomed lawn ever been taken over by pesky, unsightly weeds? If yes, then you have come to the right place.

This guide will help you learn about:

  • The 10 best weed killers for your lawn
  • Criteria used for selecting the best weed control
  • A user guide
  • FAQs

If your lawn, driveway or hedges have been overrun by weeds, it is time for you to buy an herbicide. However, this decision should not be made oh so casually. Your weed killer choice can make or break your garden. Luckily, there are dozens of product you can use to make sure your yard remains in tip-top shape.

In this guide, we will review some of the best weed killer available to help you make an informed decision.

Top 10 Best Weed Killers

Compare-N-Save Grass & Weed Killer
  • FEATURESDoes not leave residual effects
    Comparatively cheap
    Completely kills weeds in 1-2 weeks
Preen Garden Weed Preventer
  • FEATURES Doesn’t wash off with rain
    Doesn’t harm existing plants & trees
    Affective for 3 months
Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer
  • FEATURESSolution is ready-to-use
    Kills stubborn weeds
    Very fast acting

Take a look at our favorite picks. You can read about them in detail below:

1. Best Weed Killer For Lawns, Overall: Compare-N-Save Grass & Weed Killer

Compare-N-Save Grass & Weed Killer

Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer has earned its position on the top as the best liquid weed killer for lawnsbecause of a variety of reasons. This weed killer makes a huge amount of spray solution for application that gets rid of existing weeds. You can spray it on your lawn, driveway, vegetable garden and flower beds. It contains the active ingredient, glyphosate, which effectively kills both stubborn weeds and grass by inhibiting certain plant enzymes, which are necessary for growth. The chemical is extremely concentrated and needs to be diluted in gallons of water.

Pros
  • One gallon covers 25,000 sq f. and makes 85 gallons of solution
  • Does not leave residual effects
  • Does not get absorbed by the soil and inhibit future growth of plants
  • Comparatively cheap
  • Completely kills weeds in 1-2 weeks
Cons
  • Can kill lawn grass and other plants if not sprayed with caution
  • If sprayed around fruit trees, wait for 21 days to eat fruit or nuts
  • Avoid over-spraying on a single area due to lasting damage
  • Not safe for children and pets

 

2. Best Weed Killer For Gardens: Preen Garden Weed Preventer

Preen Garden Weed Preventer

If you want to keep your garden healthy without harming your plants, Preen Garden Weed Preventer is your best bet. As the name indicates, this weed killer stops new weeds from growing, but it does not kill existing weeds. It works well when applied to fruit, vegetable or tree gardens to block weed growth. Hence, the best time to use it is when you have freshly tilled your garden. Preen Garden Weed Preventer will ensure your trees and plants get the optimal space and nutrition to grow.

Pros
  • The 31.3lbs bag covers 5000 sq ft.
  • Doesn’t wash off with rain
  • Doesn’t harm existing plants and trees
  • Affective for 3 months
Cons
  • Doesn’t kill existing weeds
  • Not effective for lawns as it activates on clean land
  • Not safe for children and pets

 

3. Best Non-Selective Weed Killer: Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer

Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer

If you want to regain control of a messy lawn and scrap it down to the last plant, this indiscriminate weed and grass killer is a great option. Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer is a highly potent and fast acting herbicide that kills every green thing it touches. The solution is absorbed through the leaves and reaches the deepest parts of an extensive tap root system. It can kill weeds within a few hours, destroy it down to the roots within a few days and clean up your lawn in just a few weeks. If the solution comes in contact with other plants, quickly rinse them with water.

Pros
  • Solution is ready-to-use
  • Kills stubborn weeds
  • Very fast acting
  • Prevent regrowth for three months
Cons
  • Can kill any plant it comes in contact with
  • Works well for small-scale use
  • Not cost-effective for large pieces of land
  • Not safe for children and pets

 

4. Best Weed Killer for Driveways: Roundup Concentrate Plus

Roundup Concentrate Plus

This herbicide is a great option for targeting weeds in challenging spots, like concrete pathways, driveways, fences lines, and gardens, without wasting a lot of solution. Roundup Concentrate Plus comes in a tank sprayer that guarantees spot coverage on pesky weeds and does not touch neighboring plants. Its active ingredient, glyphosate, is absorbed through the weed’s transport system and inhibits a crucial plant enzyme, killing the weeds right down to the roots. All weeds will be eradicated within 1-2 weeks.

Pros
  • Used sparingly because of high concentration levels
  • Kills weeds in hard-to-reach areas
  • Very fast action
  • Extensive coverage with 5 gallons
  • Rainproof after 30 minutes of spraying
Cons
  • Can kill any plant it comes in contact with
  • Not safe for children and pets

 

5. Best Broadleaf Weed Killer: Southern Amine Weed Killer

Southern Amine Weed Killer

The Southern Ag 2,4-D Amine Weed Killer is highly selective and is an effective poison to use on broadleaf weeds; however, it is not very effective against anything else. The solution is very cost-effective, and a single quart is enough to cover 1,000 sq ft of land. Weeds start withering after an hour of application and die completely within 3 hours.

Pros
  • Kills a large variety of broadleaf weeds
  • Does not kill the grass
  • Very cost-effective
  • Extremely fast
  • 1 tablespoon is enough to make 1 gallon
  • No adverse effect on the soil
Cons
  • Can kill any plant it comes in contact with
  • Not safe for children and pets

 

6. Best Weed Killer for Crabgrass: Ortho Weed Crabgrass Control

Ortho Weed Crabgrass Control

The wonderful thing about Ortho Weed B Gon Max Crabgrass Control is that it does not just kill most species of crabgrass, it targets a wide variety of broadleaf weeds as well, down to the roots. It will not work against all the broadleaf species; however, it is very affordable and certainly worth a try. To get the best results, spray when weeds are in their active stage of growth. It does not prevent new weeds from growing so you will need to reapply it every few days.

Pros
  • Kills a large variety of broadleaf weeds, as well
  • Eliminates clovers and dandelions
  • Safe for use around other plants
  • Rainproof in 1 work
  • No adverse effect on soil
Cons
  • Can harm grass as well
  • Should not come into contact with soil
  • Works well for only small and medium landowners
  • Does not prevent weed germination
  • Not safe for children and pets

 

7. Best Pre-Emergent Weed Killer: Scotts Halts Weed Preventer

Scotts Halts Weed Preventer

This weed killer is meant to be sprayed with a spreader. This is one of the best pre-emergent weed killer that does not kill existing weeds but prevents the germination of new weeds. Its effects are very long-lasting, and one-time application in spring can block the growth of crabgrass and broadleaf weeds for six months. Its performance is not affected by the weather, but it works exceptionally well in during dry seasons.

Pros
  • Prevents the emergence of stubborn broadleaf weeds and crabgrass
  • Perfect for grass lawns
  • Cost-effective
  • Safe for use around other plants
  • Affective for 6 months
  • Not affected by weather
Cons
  • Doesn’t kill existing weeds
  • Not safe for children and pets

 

8. Best Post-Emergent Weed Killer: Bayer Advanced Weed Control

Bayer Advanced Weed Control

This amazing herbicide kills existing weeds in your garden as well as prevents new weeds from germinating. The active ingredient, 4-D dimethylamine salt, can kill up to 200 species of common lawn weeds, including broadleaf, crabgrass, clovers and dandelions. Its effects last for half a year. The 20 oz bottle offers enough solution to spray 7,500 feet of land. This is one of the best post-emergent weed killer you can find in the market.

Pros
  • Kills and prevents the emergence of 200 types of weeds
  • 20 oz bottle lasts a long time
  • Rainproof after 1 hour
  • Safe for plants
  • Cost-effective
  • Affective for 6 months
Cons
  • Not good for certain types of grass such as St. Augustine grass
  • Not safe for children and pets

 

9. Best Pet and Child-Friendly Weed Killer: EcoSMART Organic Weed and Grass Killer

EcoSMART Organic Weed and Grass Killer

This organic and natural weed killer can kill many types of broadleaf weeds and types of grass. Its biggest attribute is that it is very safe to use around children and pets. That is because it contains only natural plant oil instead of harmful chemical toxins, used in other weed killers. EcoSMART Organic Weed Killer works best on flower beds, driveways and around trees. However, it can harm your grass or any small, germinating plants.

Pros
  • Kills many types of grass and weeds
  • Safe for children among children and pets
  • Contains organic oils
  • Very affordable
Cons
  • Can kill grass or small shrubs and flowers

 

10. Best Weed Killer for Southern Lawns: PBI/Gordon Speed Zone

PBI/Gordon Speed Zone

Most of the fast-acting weed killers can eliminate several varieties of common and tough weeds in turfgrass — but at the expense of the grass itself. PBI/Gordon 652400 Speed Zone is the answer to your lawn problems. This is the best weed killer for creeping Charlie, dandelions, ground ivy, clovers and 100 different broadleaf weeds that infest your grass, but does not harm the grass itself. That is because it targets the leaves of the weeds. After 1 or 2 days, the weeds start dying, leaving you with a stunning, healthy-looking lawn. What’s so great about is that a 20-ounce bottle can effectively cover 14,000 to 18,000 square feet of land.

Pros
  • Kills many types of weeds in turfgrass
  • Safe for lawn grass
  • Perfect for large-scale lands
  • Very affordable
  • Reseed in a few weeks
  • Fast action
Cons
  • Not safe for children

 

Criteria Used for Selecting the Best Weed Control

There are a variety of herbicides and weed killers available in the market, each with varying fundamental factors. The effectiveness of the product rests on these elements. Take a look at the criteria below:

Selectiveness
You have to be careful when choosing a weed killer because many products in the market are unselective. For example, a pesticide made for eliminating turf weed should not destroy your grass, unless you want to start your gardening attempts from scratch. It should also not cause harm to or kill your existing plants and trees. However, many weed killers do often affect your grass and even your trees. In such cases, you should be careful when applying the solution.
Residual Effect
Some weed killers don’t just eliminate weeds but also prevent germination of seedlings. Then there are others that seep into the soil and disrupt its pH levels, leading to malnourished plants. Other types get absorbed by trees and adversely affect the fruit or leaves. Many of them do not even get washed out by rain. These herbicides can make your lawn barren with continuous use and may even become carcinogenic. The best weed killers are the ones which dissolve after their work is done.
Areas of Use
Different areas promote the growth of different kind of weeds. The weeds that grow on lawns are different from those that grow around trees or on driveways. Weeds can be classified into three categories, according to their life cycles: annual, biennial and perennial. Annual weeds are killed swiftly after spraying because they have shallow roots. Biennials weeds are more difficult to kill and require stronger products. However, perennial weeds, with deep roots and long lives, are the worst, requiring highly potent chemical herbicides to subdue. Some kinds are found in driveways and hedges.
Coverage
Coverage of each herbicide depends on how concentrated the active ingredient is in its solution. Diluted solutions are needed in larger amounts than concentrated solutions. The size of the package is not enough for you to determine how much coverage a particular product can provide. You will need to read the instruction on the package to find that out.
Result Time
Some herbicides contain slow-acting poisons that take weeks to clean up your lawn while others are very fast acting, requiring just a few hours or a few days. However, all of this depends on the potency of the product. The mode and effect of the destruction also vary; some herbicides can kill the visible part of weeds in a few hours but may take days or weeks to reach its roots. Others can’t be absorbed in the soil at all.
Price
No matter how effective the product is, if you cannot afford it, it is useless considering it. Similarly, many popular brands that come cheap may not necessarily do a great job for your particular weed issue.

User Guide

To get the perfect weed killer for your particular problem, you first need to find out what kind of weed is growing in your yard, orchard, hedge or driveway. Take a look at some of the things you should consider.

Broadleaf Weeds
Broadleaf weeds are easily recognizable in your lawn because they do not look like grass. Examples of broadleaf weeds are clovers, dandelions, poison ivy, ground ivy, and chickweed. These plants flourish in environments with poor nutrients and often the grass around them is patchy.

Broadleaf weeds are annual, biennial and perennial and hence has constantly changing life cycle. Because of this, they are also difficult to eradicate. They come in hundreds of species, so broadleaf killers need to encompass a wide range of ingredients.

Crabgrass and Other Grass Weeds
Crabgrass is a type of grassy weed that is bigger and ganglier than your regular grass. It often dies during the winter season but leaves thousands of spores that erupt in spring. You can use pre-emergence crabgrass herbicides to kill off any germinating seeds that are getting ready to spring up. There are also post-emergence chemicals that kill off existing crabgrass in your lawn.
Child and Pet-Safe
Homeowners who have little children or pets need to ensure their safety first before they apply any herbicide. Most of the herbicides in the market contain powerful toxins that can be harmful for your kids and pets. Fortunately, there are now several organic, natural, non-toxic products available that don’t just get rid of weeds in your yard but also keep your loved ones safe.

There are also numerous DIY remedies that can be effective against weeds and which do not require harsh chemicals. Some ways to curb wild weeds is to spread salt around weed roots, pour vinegar water over the overrun area or drench the weeds in boiling water. However, these methods may have limited effectiveness.

Application
Incorrect application of weed killers can be devastating for your lawn. There are several methods with which you can apply the herbicides.

The most common method is the spray method, in which you dilute the weed killer in water and then pour it into spray bottles. Not only does it allow for spot spraying, which prevents contact with other plants, it increases the longevity of the herbicide and is better for the environment. Another method is applying solid pellets of weed killer through a push spreader, in the same way that you spread fertilizer.

You should also take into account weather conditions; most weed killers should be sprayed or spread during calm weather or at least 6 hour before rain is expected so that they get time to be absorbed by the weeds. They should also not be used during drought conditions. However, there are some pre-germination herbicides that work the best in dry weather, as well.

FAQs

What type of weed killer should I buy?
The decision to buy a certain weed killer depends on the type of weeds you want to tackle. If you are having problems with turf weeds, you need a product that not just kills the weeds but also protect your grass. If you need to get rid of stubborn, hard-to-kill weeds in your driveway, you will need a powerful chemical weed killer. If you need to get rid of weeds spread around your trees, you will need a product that effectively gets rid of them, without harming the tree itself or the surrounding vegetation.
How strong should my weed killer be?
Again, it depends on the type of weeds you are facing. Some weeds have shallow roots and can be quickly killed by moderate and even organic, non-toxic herbicides. Other weeds are much tougher with deep, intricate roots and require powerful chemicals to eradicate. It also depends on how big the outbreak is. If your outbreak is contained to one area, you can use less potent solutions; but if the problem is widespread, you might need to employ aggressive options.
Will I have to apply the weed killer just one time?
No, it is very common for weeds to appear every year and even some hardy ones to appear every few months. There are some herbicides that can keep you covered for over six months after just one application. Then there are others that have an effect which lasts only for a few weeks. Depending on your situation, you may need to spray or spread weed killers every three months to every six months.
How long after weed killer application should I wait to spread fertilizer?
Most weed killers do not affect the application of fertilizer. However, there are some that come with a warning that fertilizers should not be applied for a few days after herbicide application. There are also a few varieties that serve as both weed control and fertilizer.
How do I keep my lawn and plans safe from the effects of herbicides?
If you are fighting grass weeds, make sure you buy a product that does not kill your grass. There are many toxic weed killers that can harm all types of plants, flowers and shrubs in your garden, so make sure you cover up the vegetation that you do not want to destroy with paper or cloth, before you apply them. These herbicides also come with spot sprays so that they do not spread onto neighboring plants.

De-weeding your yard can be a frustrating business, especially when you are facing stubborn varieties of weed. We hope that this guide helps your provide a wonderful weed-eradicating solution that you have been looking for.

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