Mention “weeds” and you are sure to see myriad forms of adverse reactions from farmers and home gardeners alike. What is it about weeds that riles up them so much? And why the best crabgrass killer is a must-have?
To begin with, weeds are also plants. They are plants that are growing on their own. What upsets the gardener so much about them is that they are growing in all the wrong places. They compete with potted plants and are much evolved to overpower and outgrown all the host plants. They can grow at amazing speeds, overcrowding the planters and denying sunlight to the real plants. In addition, they can themselves play host to a lot of garden pests and diseases. Their haphazard growth fashion is no pretty sight at all.
The issues with crabgrass weed:
- Crabgrass is an annual weed. It germinates during summer and spring only.
- The germination takes place when it is toasty with temperatures nicely between the ranges of 50-65 degrees F.
- Un-germinated seeds can stay in the soil for up to 30 years before sprouting!
- A single crabgrass weed can easily produce a whopping 150,000 seeds in one season!
So, you see why crabgrass is quite the nightmare?
A Comparison Table of the Best Crabgrass Killer for Lawns That Will Be Helpful:
If your garden is already infested and growing with crabgrass, don’t fret. While natural and homemade remedies can be the first line of defense, once the weeds sprout, your best bet is a herbicide only. Choose the best crabgrass killer that is right for you:
| Image | Product | |
|---|---|---|
Best Choice | Drive XLR8 Herbicide
| Check Price |
Also great  | Bayer Advanced All in One Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer
| Check Price |
Best Value  | Primesource Quinclorac 1.5L Select Liquid Crabgrass Killer
| Check Price |
Economical  | Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer
| Check Price |
Easy to use  | Ortho Weed B Gon Plus Crabgrass Control Ready-To-Use2 Wand
| Check Price |
Let us know the tabulated products one by one in detail.
1. Drive XLR8 Herbicide review – the Best Crabgrass Killer for Lawns
The Drive XLR8 is undisputedly the best crabgrass killer on the market. If we had not tried this ourselves, we would have never claimed so. It is water-based and it uses the cut-throat latest technology. The liquid formulation is so potent that it can kill some of the hardiest weeds in a matter of weeks. It is a post-emergent herbicide meaning that it kills the weed even after it has sprouted.
Performance:
Two words – par excellence! Just one bottle of the product will easily last you a season. You will be overjoyed when you realize that your weeds are gone and you don’t have to worry about them till the next year!
How to use:
Mix one liquid ounce of the product with one gallon of water and pour it in a spray tank. Use it in your lawn as a 100% effective post-emergent herbicide. Once you have done with the spraying, you will notice that within two days, the crabgrass weeds are turning yellow. Within a couple of weeks, the weeds will be dead.
Products recommended that you use with it:
You could add surfactants like methylated seed oil (MSO) for surer kill. Another alternative is to use Microyl Crop oil replacement with the product to improve effectiveness.
- One bottle treats one acre at full application.
- The product has a much quicker uptake by plants.
- It dries in less than one hour.
- It is rainfast and does not run down with water.
- Stays maximum period of 45 days.
- Regular grass may suffer sometimes if the application was done the wrong way.
The product is very well received by proud lawn owners around the world. It effectively kills bindweed, clover, dandelion, dollar weed and the hardy foxtail weeds along with a host of others. It is a highly recommended product from our desk.
2. Bayer Advanced All in One Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer Review – Best Weed and Crabgrass Killer
If mixing concentrate liquids and then filling up spraying can feel like a lot of work to you then this ready to spray formula might be just the right thing for you.
Bayer has five different package variants for different lawn owners. The ready to spray is the most popular one albeit also the most effective one. It is a no-mess formula. The easiest and the fastest way to get those uninvited weeds from your lawn!
Performance:
While the product is very effective for crabgrass, it is equally effective on all other broad-leaved weeds too. A mere 32 Oz. can treat a whopping 500 sq feet of lawn and see that they do not return for the rest of the year.
How to use the product:
Use the product as directed. The temperature on the day of the application must be below 90 F. If the lawn is newly seeded, make sure to not use the product until the first three mowings. Using the treatment after the fourth mowing is much more effective and saves a lot of money. Make sure not to mow the lawn at least for two days after the treatment. The best time to use the product is in the afternoon when the dew has all dried up.
Most important of all, the lawn must not be dry. If it is then you must sufficiently water it two days prior to your scheduled treatment.
Products recommended that you use with it:
Using a good surfactant gives out satisfactory results. The best surfactant as per our research has been MSO or methylated seed oil.
- Kills crabgrass effectively.
- It does not harm the lawn grass.
- Dries super quick in less than one hour.
- Rain fast formula.
- Includes measuring cup lid.
- Active ingredients include 4D Dymethylene salt and Quinclorac 1.61%.
- The product can sometimes harm the flowering and ornamental plants.
The product has been hugely successful. It has been recommended by lawn owners in the business. The yellowing of the weed plants is a sight to behold, what says you!
3. Primesource Quinclorac 1.5L Select Liquid Crabgrass Killer Review – Best Post Emergent Crabgrass Killer
This mind-blowing post-emergent herbicide has been winning a lot of love all over the gardening forums and websites. Little wonder then that it is one of those products that is so hugely successful that it is literally flying off the shelves.
Performance:
The product contains Quinclorac at 18.92% which is very potent in addressing weeding issues. It is one of those products that has found a wide application in residential, non-residential turfs, golf courses, sod farms, anywhere and everywhere that grass grow and weeds invade.
How To Use:
The product definitely needs a tank mix partner and a sequential application. The recommended sequential application per 1000 square feet of lawn is one 1.0 liquid ounces of Quinclorac 1.5 L in water and 0.90 liquid ounces of the same solvent in water within a gap of 14 to 21 days.
The product clears up largely all bio-grasses with large and smooth leaves. Most of the weeds start falling within a day or two.
Products recommended that you use with it:
Mixing surfactants such as MSO Methylated Seed Oil to the product especially in the second application is known to kill 90% of crabgrass. A lot of lawn owners also find that adding half an ounce of duo stick soap after about 4 to 6 weeks of reseeding is also very beneficial. You can be sure of unsurpassed results as far as defeating crabgrass is concerned.
- Very effective on crabgrass.
- Helps clear various other hardy broadleaf weeds as well.
- Liquid herbicide formula.
- Latest technology.
- Sequential treatment means that crabgrass has no survival at all for one complete year.
- Can be used even on new lawns.
- Multi applications.
- Safe to use in schools, parks, playground turfs, etc.
- The effect is seen in 24 hours itself.
- Works even if it rains as soon as the application is made.
- Keep children and pets away as it can be potentially harmful to their health.
- Do not touch the product with your bare hands and always wear protective eyewear when spraying.
The label contains important instructions on the mode of using the product. if used as directed, it is super effective and the size of the lawn is never an issue for this brilliant product. Leave the lawn unirrigated for two days after each application. Give it 7 to 10 days before you see change.
4. Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer review – Best Pre Emergent Crabgrass Killer
If you are someone that is paranoia about having even a few centimeters of weed grasses growing on your otherwise well maintained and green turf, this is one of the best products that we would recommend.Pre-emergent weed killer is one where you will need to treat the lawn even before the weeds are sprouting. Most often the germination period of the crabgrass is right after spring. The best time to apply the product is in spring. After all, prevention is always better than cure!
To prevent moss and other pesky weeds, a late application is also recommended in the fall. For crabgrass, start two weeks earlier when the temperature is warm enough.
Performance:
The dry powder formulation will need a spreader for you to apply. Lawn owners swear by this product and tell you that the secret of the crabgrass free lawn is to use pre-emergent herbicides and enjoy a year of freedom from them!
How To Use:
The best size spreader has to be determined in consonance with the size of your lawn. The medium size is the best one for domestic purposes. In case there is a need, a second application may be considered. However, make sure to not overdo this more than twice in a year.
Products Recommended That You Use With It:
This is the one perfect solution for all your budgetary needs. Since it is a dry formulation, it will require no prior or post mixing of any other products to increase efficacy.
- Very economical.
- Very effective.
- Detailed instructions on the label.
- One application is potent is most cases.
- Rainfall, snow and freezing temperature do not affect the product performance.
- The product will need to be used at the right time that is before the germination of the crabgrass, otherwise, it will be of no use…
- Needs a spreader to spread the formula…
Very effective if the product is used as per the instructions on the label. If anyone tells you that the product is not useful is not following the instructions correctly.
5. Ortho Weed B Gon Plus Crabgrass Control Ready-To-Use2 Wand Review – Best Crabgrass Killer that Won’t Kill Grass
Every lawn owner will know that the best way to not see the undesirable crabgrass weed in their garden and lawn is to use a pre-emergent herbicide. But just in case you have missed the time to treat the turf before they germinated, here is one more potent post-emergent that will up your game against the weed.
Performance:
The liquid sprayer works like magic. The thing that works for it is that it comes in ready to spray cans that need to be wielded. It makes it easy for a gardener or a lawn owner who is pressed for time to eliminate crabgrass at will and easily.
How To Use:
The product from Ortho comes in convenient spray tanks with bonus wands that help in treating the problem spots. The product also comes in various sizes and the containers are reusable with refill packs! The active ingredient, Quinclorac is a commercial weed manager and therefore the product efficacy is unquestionable.
Products Recommended That You Can Use With It:
The product is potent in itself. there is no need to pair anything else with it.
- Comes in convenient packaging.
- Has wands for spot treatment on weeds.
- Can be sprayed anytime on the weeds.
- Does not affect the lawn if the instructions on the label are correctly followed.
- Starts to work as soon as prayed.
- Rainproof formula.
- Dries in less than one hour.
- It targets only the problem weeds and leaves the desired grass untouched.
- Ready to use herbicide offers a world of convenience to the users.
- Guaranteed sure-shot formula.
- Contains Quinclorac.
- The product does have a shorter kill cycle and so a repeat application may be warranted in some places.
- The actual grass in the lawn may be affected if negligently sprayed.
If you are someone who likes to do spot treatment only, opt for this product. You will come back to thank us here!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is crabgrass?
Crabgrass is a sprawling weed that gets its name from how it crab-like spreads on the turf across the desirable lawn grass. In time, it starts growing in clumps and nearly colonizes the lawn in no time. It does not help that it can put out a tremendous amount of seeds each other if not killed. Each plant is capable of throwing out 15000 seeds in a year!
2. How can I get rid of crabgrass in my lawn?
There are various ways to address the growth and elimination of crabgrass in your lawn. You could either choose a pre-emergent herbicide that is to be used before the crabgrass seeds germinate and sprout or use a post-emergent one that will kill the weed without doing too much harm to the desired grass in the lawn.
3. Will vinegar kill crabgrass?
If we are talking about vinegar that is sitting on our kitchen shelf, then the answer is a big no. the vinegar that we use in our food and cosmetics is only 5% its strength and it cannot handle hardy weeds such as crabgrass. But vinegar at its maximum strength can. The only drawback is that using vinegar for killing weeds is a non-selective process and you can end up doing more damage to the main grass also!
4. Do salt and baking soda kill grass?
Using natural ingredients such as salt and baking soda to address the weeds is a good idea unless the soil has a high content of salt already. Then desist. The rest of the areas where the salt is less you could mist the weeds a little before dry spraying baking soda over the weed clumps. Wait for 5 to 6 weeks before repeating the process.
5. What will kill crabgrass but not grass?
If the crabgrass has already sprouted, you can only use a post-emergent herbicide. A pre-emergent one will not work in such cases.
6. When to apply a crabgrass killer?
A crabgrass killer must be applied in mid-spring when the temperature is mildly toasty between 50 and 65 F. if you apply it earlier than this, the cycle may be too short to address the weeds that are germinating.
7. How to know when it’s working?
The closest you will come to know if it is working is when the crabgrass leaves will start turning a yellow or lighter shade of green before they turn brown and fall off in clumps. If you will leave it there, they will wilt and mulch away.
Buyer’s Guide
Crabgrass Control Types:
When it is sprouting, the crabgrass may look like a pretty and innocent sprout. Wait for a couple of weeks and you will see how it cleverly colonizes your entire lawn overpowering your native grass.
Systemic and contact herbicide: there is a reason why people who love their lawns and gardens do not like infiltrating weeds. In no time, they are everywhere!
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- pre-emergent herbicides are those that are to be used before the crabgrass germinates. That usually happens when the temperature is around 62F. the best time to treat with this is when the temperature is in the range of 50 and 60F in mid-spring.
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- post-emergent herbicides are those that can be sprayed in a dry or wet form on the crabgrass once they have sprouted. The active ingredients used in the formulas generally are safe for the desired grasses. The only condition is that the user must follow the instruction label carefully.
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- non-selective and selective herbicides can be used to treat weeds such as crabgrass. The only downside to the non-selective method is that there is an equal risk to the desired grass. Selective herbicides come in the form of spray cans and wands where spot treatment is possible to the weeds.
What Factors To Consider While Choosing The Best Weed Killer For Crabgrass
- Area:
The size of the lawn is an important determinant when you are deciding on the crabgrass killer. The potency of the fertilizer directly depends on the area that it needs to cover.
- Coverage:
The best bet is to follow the usage instruction on the product label. Most of the herbicides come in a liquid concentrate that is easy to tank and separate. The dry formula may need a spreader and those are easily available everywhere.
- After effects:
Phytotoxicity or plant damage is one of the main after-effects of the herbicides used to kill the undesired weed. It depends on your lawn grass’s resistance. A little damage is inevitable.
- Convenience:
There is no doubt that chemical and natural weed killers are very convenient nowadays. Imagine if you had to manually pull out each weed with your hands from the roots!!
Safety Measures and Warnings
- Keep pets and children away for as long as two weeks after the treatment
- Wear gloves and protective eyewear while spraying and spreading the herbicides
- Make sure that you do not irrigate the lawn for at least a couple of days after treatment otherwise the part of the product may leach into the waterways.
- Follow the instructions on the label.
Our Recommendation For The Best Crabgrass Killer 2021
We, at lawnguider.com, want to strongly recommend the Drive XLR8 post-emergent herbicide to kill crabgrass weeds. It is a water-based formula and time tested to kill a host of other weeds apart from the troublesome crabgrass. The Drive is also very economical and one bottle of half a gallon is more than enough for a 1000 square feet lawn!
We have had hands down experience with all the products mentioned here and we are of the firm opinion that this product stands out well from the rest.
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