Does your beautiful green lawn look like it’s wearing a patchy, unwelcome green sweater in the summer? That itchy, coarse intruder is likely crabgrass, and it’s a nightmare for homeowners who crave that picture-perfect turf. You spend hours mowing, watering, and feeding your lawn, only to watch this aggressive weed sneak in and steal the show. It grows fast and spreads even faster, turning your neat carpet into a tangled mess before you know it.
Choosing the right crabgrass killer adds another layer of frustration. Should you use a pre-emergent to stop it before it starts, or a post-emergent to attack the sprouts already popping up? The labels are confusing, the active ingredients sound like science fiction, and you worry about harming your good grass or your pets. It feels like a guessing game where the stakes are your weekend pride!
But relief is here. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what works, when to apply it, and how to achieve that lush, crabgrass-free yard you deserve. Keep reading to transform your lawn care routine from a headache into a guaranteed win.
Top Crabgrass Killer For Lawns Recommendations
- Water-Based Formulation: Experience the power of our unique water-based formulation that ensures superior control and faster plant uptake, delivering results you can see quickly
- Extended Residual Control: Enjoy up to 30 days of residual control, keeping your turfgrass free from troublesome weeds for longer periods and reducing the need for frequent applications; Rainfast in less than an hour
- Broad-Spectrum Weed Control: Effectively targets a wide range of weeds, including crabgrass, foxtail, kikuyu grass, signal grass, torpedo grass, and key broadleaves like bindweed, clover, dandelion, black medic, and horseweed
- Versatile Application: Perfect for residential lawns, golf courses, commercial properties, and other non-residential turfgrass sites. It is labeled for use on both warm-season and cool-season turf types, ensuring adaptability to various environments; See label for proper mixing instructions
- USE AS INTENDED: Read, understand and follow label safety and application instructions; Follow proper storage and disposal instructions; NY can only be applied as a spot application; Proper PPE required long sleeve shirt, long pants, socks and shoes, chemical resistant gloves; See label for environmental hazards; State restrictions may apply
- Weed killer for lawns: Kill weeds in your lawn, including dandelion, chickweed, clover, crabgrass and foxtail with the Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-to-Spray
- Fast-acting weed control: This weed control product kills listed weeds like crabgrass, dandelion, clover, chickweed and creeping charlie down to the root and gets results with 1 application
- Broadcast treatment for weeds: Won't harm lawn grasses when used as directed - use on lawn grasses including Bermudagrass, Buffalograss, Fescues, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass and Zoysiagrass
- Spray weed killer: Apply to weeds that are young and actively growing by connecting your garden hose to the sprayer, sliding the switch to "ON" and spraying evenly until the lawn is wet
- Ready to spray: This 32 oz. container of Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-to-Spray treats up to 5,000 sq. ft.
- Roundup for Lawns Crabgrass Destroyer2 kills crabgrass and grassy weeds to the root
- This weed killer for lawns is formulated to kill even the toughest crabgrass and grassy weeds
- Apply this product to Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue
- Apply this product to actively growing weeds (during the early growth stages for the best results), when daytime temperatures are between 45°F and 90°F
- This 64 oz. container of Roundup for Lawns Crabgrass Destroyer2 is ready-to-use with a trigger sprayer
- KILLS WEEDS – NOT THE LAWN: When used as directed
- VISIBLE RESULTS IN 5 HOURS: Conquer unruly weeds and see visible results in as fast as 5 hours
- KILLS 470+ WEED TYPES AS LISTED: Kills broadleaf and grassy weeds including dandelion, chickweed and clover as well as crabgrass and yellow nutsedge – see product label for complete list of weed types
- KILLS THE ROOT: Kills weeds by contact down to the root
- READY-TO-USE FORMULA: No mixing required
- ALL-IN-ONE FORMULA: BioAdvanced's All-in-One formula kills listed lawn weeds and crabgrass without harming the lawn
- KILLS TOUGH WEEDS: Control over 200 broadleaf weeds like dandelion, clover, and crabgrass using our powerful weed killer concentrate
- DOWN TO THE ROOT: BioAdvanced All-In-One Lawn Weed and Crabgrass Killer I penetrates and removes tough listed weeds down to the root
- RAINPROOF IN ONE HOUR: Our weed killer concentrate formula is rainproof in one hour, providing protection that wont wash away
- EASY-TO-USE CONCENTRATE: Easily apply with our concentrated formula, perfect for targeting weeds in your lawn, and compatible with various grass types
- Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer prevents the germination of listed lawn weeds so you can enjoy your lawn
- Prevents the germination of crabgrass, foxtail, spurge, barnyardgrass, and more as listed in the early spring all season long, and moss (except in California), Poa annua, henbit, corn speedwell, and chickweed in the fall
- Apply this pre-emergent weed killer in the early spring to a dry lawn or in the fall; rain, snow, or freezing weather after application will not affect the performance of this product
- This lawn care product is for use on all grass types (with the exception of Dichondra or Bentgrass)
- One 20.12 lb. bag of Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer covers 10,000 sq. ft.
- High Concentration, Maximum Power: Boasting an impressive 18.92% concentration of Quinclorac, this solution packs a powerful punch, ensuring that every application is optimized for maximum weed control. Our solution provides a residual control that prevents weeds from reappearing, allowing you to relish in a weed-free environment for an extended period.
- Rapid Action, Visible Results: Our Quinclorac formulation is engineered for swift and visible results. Say goodbye to persistent weeds as this fast-acting solution begins to take effect. From lawns to gardens, landscapes to commercial spaces, our Quinclorac Weed Control Solution is versatile and ready to combat weed challenges in various outdoor environments.
- Common Broadleaf Weeds Quinclorac Controls: Clover: Various species of clover, including white clover and red clover. Dandelion: The familiar yellow-flowered weed. Chickweed: A low-growing weed with small, white flowers. Ground Ivy (Creeping Charlie): A creeping perennial with round leaves and purple flowers. Henbit: A winter annual with purple flowers. Black Medic: A low-growing annual or perennial with yellow flowers. Dollarweed (Pennywort): A broadleaf perennial often found in wet areas.
- Common Grassy Weeds Quinclorac Controls: Crabgrass: An annual grass that can quickly invade lawns and other turf areas. Foxtail: Annual grasses with distinctive seed heads resembling a fox's tail. Barnyardgrass: A common annual grass found in various environments. Dallisgrass: A perennial grass often found in warm-season lawns.
- It's important to note that the effectiveness of quinclorac can vary depending on factors such as the specific weed species, growth stage, and environmental conditions. Always follow the product label instructions for proper application and use, and consider consulting with a local gardening or landscaping professional for advice tailored to your specific situation.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Crabgrass Killer for Lawns
Crabgrass is a common enemy for a beautiful, green lawn. It pops up in the summer and spreads fast. This guide helps you choose the best crabgrass killer so you can win the battle.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for crabgrass killer, look for these important features:
- Selective Action: The best killers only target the weeds, not your healthy grass. This is called being “selective.” A selective killer keeps your good grass safe.
- Pre-Emergent vs. Post-Emergent: You need to know when you see the problem.
- Pre-Emergent: This stops seeds from ever growing. You use this early in the spring before the weather gets hot. It builds a barrier.
- Post-Emergent: This kills crabgrass that is already growing. You use this when you see the bright green patches in your lawn.
- Speed of Action: Some products work fast, showing results in a few days. Others take longer. Check the label for fast relief if your lawn is covered.
- Lawn Safety Rating: Make sure the product explicitly states it is safe for your type of lawn grass (like Fescue, Bermuda, or Zoysia).
Important Ingredients and Materials
The chemicals inside the bottle do the hard work. Understanding the main active ingredients helps you pick a strong product.
Pre-Emergent Ingredients:
These stop seeds from sprouting. Look for chemicals like Prodiamine or Dithiopyr. These create a strong defense line in your soil.
Post-Emergent Ingredients:
These kill existing plants. Common ingredients include Quinclorac or Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl. Quinclorac is very popular because it handles many types of grassy weeds effectively.
Safety Note: Always read the label. Never mix different chemicals unless the directions specifically tell you to.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Product Quality
What makes one killer better than another? It often comes down to timing and formulation.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Rainfastness: A good product sticks to the weed or soil well. If rain comes soon after spraying, a rainfast product will not wash away easily. This means you do not have to reapply right away.
- Concentrate vs. Ready-to-Use: Concentrates often offer better value because you mix them yourself, but ready-to-use bottles are easier for small jobs.
- Temperature Matching: The best quality products work best when applied at the specific temperature range listed on the bottle. Applying too early or too late reduces effectiveness.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Improper Application Rate: Using too little product will not kill the crabgrass. Using too much can hurt your good grass. Measure carefully!
- Ignoring Soil Temperature: If you use a pre-emergent when the soil is already too warm, the seeds have already germinated. The product becomes useless.
User Experience and Use Cases
How easy is the product to use? Good user experience means less frustration for you.
Spraying Methods: Some people prefer granular products they spread with a fertilizer spreader. Others like liquid sprays that attach directly to a garden hose. Liquid sprays often give more even coverage for spot treatments.
Clean Up: Check if the container is easy to rinse out. Easy cleanup means you avoid chemical residue around your tools.
Use Case Example: If you have a huge yard, a large bag of granular pre-emergent spread by machine saves time. If you only have a few small patches of new crabgrass, a handheld spray bottle of post-emergent killer works perfectly.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Crabgrass Killer
Q: When should I apply pre-emergent crabgrass killer?
A: Apply pre-emergent when soil temperatures consistently reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit, usually early spring before the forsythia bushes bloom.
Q: Can I use crabgrass killer if I just seeded my lawn?
A: Wait! Most pre-emergents prevent all seeds from growing, including your new grass seed. Check the label for the waiting period, usually several weeks after seeding.
Q: Will post-emergent killer hurt my St. Augustine grass?
A: Maybe. St. Augustine grass is sensitive. Always check the label to ensure the specific chemical is safe for your turf type. Quinclorac is often safer for many warm-season grasses.
Q: How soon after applying can my dog go on the lawn?
A: Keep pets and children off the lawn until the sprayed product has completely dried. This usually takes a few hours, but check the specific product instructions.
Q: Does crabgrass killer work in the heat of summer?
A: Post-emergent killers work best when crabgrass is young, usually before it starts making seeds. Extreme heat can sometimes stress the weed, making it less receptive to the spray.
Q: What is the difference between crabgrass and regular grass?
A: Crabgrass has thicker, lighter green blades that spread out low to the ground. Regular lawn grass grows upright in clumps.
Q: How long does one application of pre-emergent last?
A: Most pre-emergents provide protection for about 10 to 16 weeks, but heavy rain can sometimes shorten that time.
Q: Can I fertilize and apply crabgrass killer at the same time?
A: Some combination products exist. If you use separate products, check the instructions. Usually, you should wait a week or two between fertilizing and applying heavy weed killers.
Q: What if the crabgrass is already very large?
A: Large, mature crabgrass plants are very hard to kill with post-emergent sprays. You might need to physically pull the largest ones out after spraying, or wait until next year to use a strong pre-emergent.
Q: Do I need to water the lawn before or after spraying?
A: For pre-emergents, a light watering usually helps activate the chemical barrier in the soil. For post-emergents, avoid watering right before spraying so the product sticks well, but water lightly after the required dry time.