Keep Your Lawn Tidy With Best Weed Killer
No matter where you live, there’s a sense of pride in having a nice, beautiful lawn. You spend a great deal of time and money assuring your landscaping is eye catching, your flowers are colorful, your trees are trimmed, and you grass is mowed and edged. You fertilize to keep everything green and glorious, and all of that adds up to a lot of work you don’t want to see ruined by something simple, like weeds.
They happen to everyone, and they seem to always be stronger and healthier than the rest of the elements in your lawn, growing easily and sometimes out of control. It’s why the phrase ‘children growing like weeds’ was spawned. Of course, removing weeds is a much more difficult task, and while you have the option to yank them out, you can’t guarantee you’ve gotten all the roots so that they won’t grow back.
The best way to handle weeds is with a weed killer for lawns. Using a weed killer, waiting for the weeds to wilt, and then either mowing them down or pulling them out is a much easier task and doesn’t leave the unsightly hole in the lawn or chance having the weed continue to grow beneath the ground. But how do you find the best weed killer for your lawn?
Benefits of Weed Killer for Lawns
While weeds may not be an immediate concern when they first pop up in your lawn, they proliferate quickly, and because they have widespread roots, they can quickly choke out the grass and other plants you want growing, leading to the detriment and death of the entire lawn in a short time. Weed killer can be applied locally to the first weeds to poke up out of the ground and will seep into the roots to makes sure that particular weed won’t continue to spread.
Likewise, should another area show signs of weed grown, you repeat the process. Using weed killer helps reduce the amount of treatment required to keep your lawn green and thriving. As stated before, it also makes weeds easier to remove from the ground. When the weed is dead, the roots no longer cling to the dirt and slide more easily out of it, so you don’t have to dig or strain, and you don’t end up with a void where the weed once was. Most of all, weed killer is important for reassurance that all your hard work in planting, fertilizing, and trimming hasn’t been in vain.
Pros:
- Quickly and effectively targets weeds and kills them at the roots
- Comes in various forms and formulas to suit your needs
- Can be targeted to a specific type of weed or a general weed killer
- Strengths vary for different purposes
- Not all weed killers are chemicals, giving you organic options
- Many weed killers are now non-toxic
- Most weed killers will not affect other plant growth
Cons:
- Chemicals may be harmful to your health
- Some weed killers are widespread for the whole lawn and could be dangerous
- Some weed killers are more concentrated than others and must be diluted
- Might affect other growth in the area
- Turn weeds unsightly colors as they die
What to Look for in a Weed Killer for Lawns
When you seek out a weed killer for your lawn, you might want to avoid harsh chemicals that are undiluted, as these require extra work to create the right balance. Applying them without adding water could cause harm to other vegetation in the area or be toxic to animals and children. In addition, weed killers used in garden areas should be used with caution so that you don’t end up with vegetables that have absorbed some of the chemicals.
Find one that is ready to use, and choose one with an applicator that is targeted, if possible, so that you avoid having to spray on anything that isn’t an actual weed. If you’re looking for something more organic so you don’t have to deal with chemicals, read reviews and ratings about effectiveness so you make a good choice and get something that works. If you have multiple types of weeds, find a general weed killer, but if you’re only dealing with a single type of weed, find the most effective weed killer for that particular species.
Check pricing so that you aren’t overpaying for the weed killer of your choice as well. To help you choose the best weed killer for lawns, here are a few of those we’ve found that are highly effective.
Top 5 Best Weed Killers for Your Lawn
1. Roundup Ready-To-Use Weed & Grass Killer III
Because it comes pre-mixed, so you don’t have to worry about diluting it, Roundup Ready to Use Weed & Grass Killer III is a great option for killing weeds and unwanted types of grass. The formula is ready to use straight from the bottle, saving you time and trouble in determining the right amount and the right balance to mix. It’s highly effective in killing weeds and grass all the way down to the roots, with visible results within as little as three hours, which makes it one of the fastest working weed killers on the market.
This allows you to get a great deal of lawn work done the same day so that you’re not having to return several days later to remove tough to kill weeds and grass. The Pump ‘N Go sprayer allows for careful targeting anywhere in your lawn, making it convenient to spray weeds and grass in and around flowers, garden vegetables, patio edges and cracks, tree rings, and more without worrying that you’ll also hit things that you want to thrive.
Even if it’s getting ready to rain, this weed killer works, acting quickly and remaining rainproof for ten minutes. The applicator is easy to refill as well so you can buy the formula in bulk and reuse the bottle. Best of all, if you don’t get results, you only have to provide proof of purchase to the manufacturer to receive a replacement or a refund for your purchase.
2. Compare-N-Save 016869 Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer
If you’re looking for something tough as nails that is formulated to kill a large number of weed and grass species, the Compare N Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer is a good choice. While this weed killer is concentrated and requires mixing, it’s essentially a very powerful formula that lists over 175 types of weeds it can kill. In addition, a single gallon can cover over 25,000 square feet, meaning it will last you ages, especially if you’re spot treating. One great thing about this particular weed killer is that it uses 41% glyphosate, which is an organic phosphate compound that inhibits certain enzymes from synthesizing, which means the weeds – particularly broadleaf weeds – from growing without using harsh chemicals.
The single gallon of formula makes 85 gallons of spray, so the price tag is also quite low for the overall amount you get. It’s also rain-proofed for out to two hours so you don’t have to be concerned about it washing away should the clouds break. Because it is more an inhibitor than a killer, it can take two to four days to see results, but those results are worth the wait due to the high effectiveness of this weed killer. It’s easy to mix, works well when you need to target particular areas, and doesn’t leave any residual effect. With one of the highest ratings in terms of health hazard, this is a great choice if you don’t want to mess with harsh chemicals.
3. Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer
If you’re interested in a truly organic option that will effectively remove unsightly and damaging weeds from your lawn, check out Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer, When you look at the formula for this particular weed killer, you’ll find several pleasant things about it, including the fact that it uses absolutely no toxic chemicals in its compound.
It’s actually made from corn and certified for organic use, as well as OMRI listed (the Organic Materials Review Institute) to prove its safe use. Its effectiveness is aided by the fact that it contains 20% acetic acid, which is an organic element found in vinegar (usually 4% concentrate or higher), which has been proven to destroy weeds effectively. There is no mixing required, and you can use it right out of the barrel.
The weed killer is best applied a day in advance because, while you will see results within hours, it can take up to 24 hours to get the full effect. This is still a quick turnaround, especially for an organic compound. It’s also best to avoid spraying before and during rainfall, as it is not as rainproof as some formulas. You’ll need a spray bottle in which to pour the solution for application. The weed killer comes with a 30-day guarantee, which allows you to contact the company if you’re not satisfied and get a hassle-free full refund.
4. Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate
For fast and effective results that won’t inhibit you from continuing your lawn beautification efforts and only impact use of the area minimally, try Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate. This formula is great not only for tough to reach corners and areas but also works well for widespread use across the entire lawn, allowing you to easily and quickly treat weeds and unwanted grass species so you can move on to the next task.
Once treated by spraying over the leaves or stalks of the weed in question, you’ll see results in as little as three hours, allowing you to readily track results and remove weeds the same or next day. After application, you’ll want to avoid you, your children, or your pets coming into contact with the lawn spaces where you’ve treated until the spray has completely dried to avoid any toxicity. Once dry, however, it’s safe to return to normal use of the areas in question. You’ll want to have a tank sprayer where you can mix the formula, as it is highly concentrated, and then spray the affected areas of your lawn.
Mixing instructions are clear, so you don’t have to worry about getting the proportions right. The weed killer is rainproof and waterproof (in case sprinklers come on) for up to 15 minutes, giving you security that you haven’t wasted time with treatment. The product comes with a satisfaction guarantee, in which you can write to the company with proof of purchase and receive a full refund if you are in any way unhappy with the performance of the product.
5. Ortho Weed B Gon Weed Killer for Lawns Ready-To-Use2 with Comfort Wand
For widespread effectiveness at a great price, without having to worry about killing your lawn at the same time, consider Ortho Weed B Gon Ready to Use Weed Killer for Lawns. This formula is premixed and ready to use, though there is also a concentrate available for broader areas and greater need. The mixture is set up for mostly spot treating areas of your lawn with persistent weeds, especially great with broadleaf species such as dandelions and clover.
However, it’s ideal for killing over 250 types of weeds. If used as directed, the weed killer won’t harm any other part of your lawn, meaning you have no chance of accidentally killing something you want to keep. One of the best parts about this particular weed killer is that it’s rain-proof for an hour, far longer than the average formula, so unexpected showers aren’t a problem at all.
Also, you’ll start to see results in just a couple of hours, so you can easily treat in the morning and remove weeds in the afternoon. It’s also very effective on several types of grass without damage, including St. Augustine (excluding Floratam), Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, Bluegrass, Buffalograss, Centipedegrass, and more.
Conclusion
With several options available that meet a variety of needs, you have plenty of ways to assure that weeds don’t overtake your lawn. The best weed killer for lawns will allow you to effectively rid the area of weeds that are both unsightly and detrimental to the growth of healthy vegetation in your yard, regardless of the formula compound. As a bonus, however, there are choices for chemically enhanced weed killers that work faster and still meet many standards for safety precautions, as well as other formulas that utilize organic compounds to assure the complete safety and lack of toxic chemicals in your weed killer. This gives you peace of mind in the way you treat your lawn and what you and your family, including your pets, are exposed to. Prices range, but there are plenty of great, affordable options under both chemical and organic compound weed killers.