Looking for the best weed killers for lawns? Then you’re in the right place!
In this Pest Strategies product review you can expect to learn:
- Our recommendations for weed killers on lawns
- What types of weed killers are available for lawns
- Which kinds of weeds you’ll encounter
- A tip to maximize your success when killing weeds
Ed has been working in the pest control industry for years helping 1,000's of homeowners navigate the world of insect and rodent management. He manages Pest Strategies now helping homeowners around the world!
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Best Service
Chickweed Clover Oxalis Killer
Features
- Kills 150+ Weed Types
- No Mixing Required
- Results In Under 24 Hours
Spectracide Weed Stop
Features
- Kills 200+ Types of Weeds
- Is A Pre-Emergent Preventing Weed Growth (up to 5 months)
- Covers 3,000 sq ft with spreader
Roundup For Lawns
Features
- Kills 253 Types of Weeds
- Comes With An Extendable Wand
- Rainproof In 3 Hours
Pennington Lawn Fertilizer
Features
- Kills a wide variety of lawn weeds
- Iron enriched for greener lawns
- Fast-acting formula
Table Of Contents
Top 4 Best Weed Killers For Your Lawn
Short on time? Take a look below for the top 4 in our list. Otherwise, check out our buying guide
What Types of Weed Killers Are There?
Whether you like it or not, everybody is going to get some weeds popping up in the lawn from time to time.
While there’s no way to stop weeds from growing, there are some chemicals (and non-chemicals) you can use to control them.
Herbicides
Most of us will turn to chemicals like pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides when it comes down to managing the weed problems that sprout up on our lawns.
What does this mean, exactly?
- A pre-emergent herbicide is a type of weed killer than basically prevents the root system from growing properly, hindering the weed from emerging from the soil.
- A post-emergent herbicide is a type of weed killer that works to kill weeds that have already popped up. These are usually weed killer sprays that need to be constantly reapplied.
For information on when to apply these herbicides in your backyard or garden, check out the information in the video below.
Acetic Acid
For those who want to take a more natural approach to killing weeds on the lawn, vinegar has shown to do just that. Because of its pure chemical breakdown of acetic acid, vinegar is lauded as a green, chemical-free way to get rid of unsightly weeds.
However, a study conducted by the USDA’s Agricultral Research Service shows that weeds doused with household vinegar (which has a 5% concentration of acetic acid) were only temporarily knocked back, and that it takes around four times that amount to terminate the weed.
This concentration of acetic acid can be toxic when not handled properly. However, because users think that they are using a “green,” household item, they don’t protect themselves or the soil where they are dousing the vinegar.
The end result is that more often than not, those who choose to use vinegar end up using far too much in order to compete with the effects of herbicide, effectively damaging the soil.
Power Tools
For those who want to get in on the action, there are devices available that can help you with your weed problems.
A variety of weed whackers are out there on the market, with one available for each and every skill set. These are handheld devices which use a motor and a small plastic cord to rip away at your weeds, trimming them down to be even with your grass.
What Weeds Are Probably Growing On Your Lawn?
Are you confused about the different weeds that are popping up in your turf? Need to identify what’s taking up residence on your lawn?
Here’s a quick crash course on what you may find lurking outdoors. This will make finding a weed killer a breeze!
Monocot or Dicot?
Lawn weeds can be split into two identifiers: monocots and dicots. These refer to how the leaves split from one another, if at all.
- Monocots emerge from the soil with a single seed leaf
- Dicots emerge with two seed leaves
For more of the differences between these two plants (with examples), check out the video below.
Annuals, Perennials or Biennials?
These terms refer to the total lifespan of the weed species as it grows in the lawn.
- Annuals are weeds which mature fully from seedling to death in the span of one season.
- Perennials last for over two years, but can create new seeds each year.
- Biennials have a lifespan of up to two years and subsist off of stored food reserves.
For Best Results, Try This!
Hydration is the key to life, but did you also know that it’s the key to killing weeds, too?
If your weeds are stressed from drought, they’ll be resistant to your attempts to use an herbicide. This is because during periods when water is scarce, weeds coat themselves with a waxy veneer that’s used to seal in excess moisture.
Whether you’re in the throes of drought or not, be sure to water your weeds before spraying them with a weed killer. It may seem counterintuitive at first, but you’re actually breaking down that waxy layer and getting to the weed itself.
Weed Killers for Lawns Reviewed
In the below section we break down each of our product recommendations in a little more detail.
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Chickweed Clover & Oxalis Killer
Chickweed Clover Oxalis Killer contains the active ingredient Horsepower, which is a combination of the selective herbicides Triclopyr, MCPA, and Dicamba.
What does this mean in plain English?
Basically, this is a combination of weed killers which are designed to find and kill only weeds. This is called a selective herbicide, and it’s an invaluable tool for those who like to keep their gardens and lawns looking pristine.
Chickweed Clover Oxalis Killer ships to customers fully ready to spray; all you’ll need is a separate spray nozzle to administer the solution on your lawn or turf.
After the first application, the spray begins the work immediately—becoming rainproof in just a few hours and killing weeds in the turf overnight. Chickweed Clover Oxalis Killer targets over 150 different types of weeds while still keeping your lawn fresh below.
The Good And The Bad
- Selective weed control only targets weeds
- Effective overnight
- Ready to use, not mixing required
- Kills over 150 species of weeds
- Requires the use of an external spray nozzle
- Customers need to saturate the weeds, using more of the product
Pennington Lawn Fertilizer
Pennington Lawn Fertilizer combines essential plant nutrients with powerful weed-killing action that keeps your lawn looking green. It eliminates the following common weeds:
- Dandelion
- Chickweed
- Henbit
- White clover
- Dollar weed
The secret is in its dual nitrogen/iron formula that provides feeding for up to three months. In addition, it brings out the color of your lawn in a matter of days.
For the best results, apply Pennington Lawn Fertilizer in the early spring. Or you can use it anytime between April and June.
The Good And The Bad
- Kills a wide variety of lawn weeds
- Iron enriched for greener lawns
- Fast-acting formula
- Easy to apply
- Do not use on St. Augustine grass
Spectracide Weed Stop For Lawns
Spectracide’s Weed Stop for Lawns has cracked the code on how to take out pesky weeds on the lawn and prevent them from growing right back.
With their Weed Stop For Lawns, you can kill off the weeds growing along your turf without harming the lawn below. The granules work to kill over 200 different types of weeds and actually prevent crabgrass from growing, all the while keeping your lawn fresh and healthy.
Once the weeds have died, the granules work below the soil for five continuous months to make sure they don’t return. For best results, apply Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns in the summer months with a garden spreader and watch the weeds wilt!
The Good And The Bad
- Ready to use with no mixing required
- Kills more than 200 types of weeds
- Offers 5 months of lasting protection
- Covers a protection area of 3000 square feet
- For best results, it's best to apply with a spreading device which is sold separately
- Restricted for sale in Texas
Roundup for Lawns
The Roundup brand has become synonymous with weed-killing due to their laundry list of herbicidal product on offer. Roundup For Lawns is no exception: this ready-to-use spray targets and kills 253 types of weeds without harming the turf below, leaving your lawn looking manicured and fresh.
Roundup For Lawns begins immediately to kill weeds to the root, ensuring that they won’t return in a few weeks’ time. This spray is ready to go on arrival, no mixing required! Because it’s pre-mixed and measured, you don’t have to worry with the hassle of mixing mishaps or snafus.
Simply spot-spray your weeds with the wand (which is included in the container), and you’ll be well on your way to a weed-free lawn.
We recommend Roundup for Lawns to those who want a name-brand product and don’t mind paying slightly extra for the peace of mind in its established quality.
The Good And The Bad
- Targets over 250 species of weeds
- Comes pre-mixed with a wand
- Recognizable, name-brand product
- Slightly more expensive than competitors
- In some climates, weeds turned brown without fully dying