There are many options on the market for crabgrass killer for lawns. How do you know which one is right for your needs? This article will discuss the different types of crabgrass killers and how to use them effectively. We will also provide some tips on preventing weeds from growing on your lawn in the first place. Let’s get started!
Identify the type of crabgrass you’re dealing with
This is important because crabgrass comes in two different varieties: annual and perennial. Annual crabgrass only lives for one season, while perennial crabgrass can come back year after year. Once you know what type of crabgrass you’re dealing with, you can choose the right crabgrass killer for your needs.
If you have annual crabgrass, you can use a pre-emergent crabgrass killer. This type of crabgrass killer prevents crabgrass seeds from germinating in the first place. It’s applied to your lawn in the spring before crabgrass has a chance to grow.
If you have perennial crabgrass, you will need to use a post-emergent crabgrass killer. This type of crabgrass killer kills crabgrass already growing on your lawn. It’s applied to your lawn in the summer when crabgrass is actively growing.
In a hurry? If you don’t have much time to review the post, below is a briefing of the top products we recommend. You can rest assured that we only chose the best weed-killing applications.
Top 10 Crabgrass Weed Killers
| 1. | Best Pre-Emergent Granule | Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer |
| 2. | Best Post-Emergent Granule | Bonide Weed Beater Complete |
| 3. | Best Pre-Emergent Concentrate | Dimension 2EW Dithiopyr Pre-Emergent Herbicide |
| 4. | Best Post–Emergent Concentrate | BASF Drive XLR8 Crabgrass Herbicide |
| 5. | Great Post-Emergent Trigger Spray | Ortho WeedClear Lawn Crabgrass Killer Ready to Use |
| 6. | Great Post-Emergent Trigger Spray | Roundup for Lawns Crabgrass Destroyer |
| 7. | Best Handheld Crabgrass Granule Spreader | Scotts Wizz Hand-Held Spreader |
| 8. | Best Walking Crabgrass Granule Spreader | Scotts Spreader, Elite |
| 9. | Best Heavy-Duty Concentrate Backpack Sprayer | Roundup No Leak Pump Backpack Sprayer for Herbicides |
| 10. | Best Lightweight Concentrate Sprayer | Petratools Garden Sprayer |
Choose the right crabgrass killer for your needs
Now that you know what type of crabgrass you’re dealing with, you can choose the right crabgrass killer for your needs. There are many different crabgrass killers on the market, so it’s important to read the labels carefully and choose one specifically for the type of crabgrass.
This might be your next read: check out our herbicide review for Certainty and Tenacity.
Prevent crabgrass from growing in the first place
The best way to deal with crabgrass is to prevent it from growing in the first place. There are a few things you can do to accomplish this:
-Aerate your lawn every year. This will help improve drainage and prevent crabgrass from taking root.
-Mow your lawn regularly. This will prevent crabgrass seeds from taking root in your lawn.
-Fertilize your lawn in the spring. This will help your lawn be healthy and thick, making it difficult for crabgrass to take root.
-Water your lawn regularly. This will also help your lawn to be healthy and thick.
-Remove crabgrass plants by hand. This is a tedious task, but you can prevent it from spreading if you catch the crabgrass early.
Apply the crabgrass killer correctly for the best results
Now that you’ve chosen the right crabgrass killer for your needs, it’s important to apply it correctly. Be sure to read the label carefully and follow the instructions. If you’re using a pre-emergent crabgrass killer, be sure to apply it before crabgrass has a chance to grow. If you’re using a post-emergent crabgrass killer, apply it when crabgrass is actively growing.
Read this next: When to Apply Crabgrass Preventer and Other Weed Killing Tips
Monitor your lawn after treatment to ensure success
After applying crabgrass killer, it’s important to monitor your lawn to ensure it’s working. Check for crabgrass plants a few days after treatment and remove any. Follow up with regular mowing, watering, and fertilizing to keep your lawn healthy and thick.
Repeat as necessary
If you’re dealing with perennial crabgrass, you may need to treat your lawn multiple times a year. Be sure to follow the instructions on the crabgrass killer label and monitor your lawn regularly. With some effort, you can keep crabgrass from taking over your lawn!
More FAQs about crabgrass
Can I use crabgrass killer in my vegetable garden?
No, crabgrass killers are not safe to use on edible plants. If you have crabgrass in your vegetable garden, you will need to remove it.
Is crabgrass killer harmful to pets or children?
Some crabgrass killers can be harmful to pets or children if they are ingested. Be sure to read the label carefully and follow the instructions. If you have any concerns, contact your local Cooperative Extension office.
I still have crabgrass on my lawn. What should I do?
If you’re dealing with crabgrass resistant to crabgrass killers, you may need to take more drastic measures. You can try digging up the crabgrass plants and replanting the area with grass seed. You can also use a crabgrass preventer in the spring to help prevent crabgrass from taking root.
Can crabgrass killer be used on all types of grass?
No, crabgrass killers should only be used on specific types of grass. Be sure to read the label carefully and choose one that is safe for your type of grass.
When is the best time to treat crabgrass?
The best time to treat crabgrass depends on the type of crabgrass you’re dealing with. You should apply a pre-emergent crabgrass killer in the spring if you have annual crabgrass. You should use a post-emergent crabgrass killer in the summer if you have perennial crabgrass.
How often should I treat crabgrass?
If you’re dealing with perennial crabgrass, you may need to treat your lawn multiple times a year. Be sure to follow the instructions on the crabgrass killer label and monitor your lawn regularly.
What are some other ways to prevent crabgrass?
In addition to using crabgrass killer, you can prevent crabgrass by aerating your lawn, mowing regularly, fertilizing in the spring, watering regularly, and removing crabgrass plants by hand.
My lawn is still full of crabgrass. What should I do?
If you’re still seeing crabgrass in your lawn after treatment, you may need to treat your lawn multiple times a year. Be sure to follow the instructions on the crabgrass killer label and monitor your lawn regularly. You can also try other methods of preventing crabgrass, such as aerating your lawn, mowing regularly, fertilizing in the spring, watering regularly, and removing crabgrass plants by hand.
More Tips and Tools for Killing Crabgrass in Lawns & Grass
Our recommendations of the best crabgrass killer in 2020 for lawns and landscapes will effectively kill crabgrass weeds and prevent them from quickly returning. While there are some environmental advantages, crabgrass is an ugly weed that grows in our lawn and landscape beds and hinders your overall landscape’s beauty. Crabgrass is annoying because they pop-up and spread quickly and look terrible from just about any vantage point.
In this weed control guide, we explored crabgrass weeds in detail, what they are, how they benefit the environment, how to remove them. Our final recommendations included excellent crabgrass products such as Scotts Crabgrass Killer & Preventer, Dimension Pre-Emergent Herbicide, BASF Drive XLR8 Crabgrass Herbicide, Ortho Crabgrass Spray Killer, Bonide Weed Beater, Roundup Crabgrass Destroyer, and more.
Read Next: Best Weed Killer for Dandelions
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Best Weed Barriers to Prevent Crabgrass in the First Place
From a preventative perspective, consider weed barriers before you lay rock or mulch in your landscaping bed. This will hinder the growth of weed in the first place you’ll be very happy you did it!
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Enjoy your weed-free lawn!
You can enjoy your weed-free lawn now that you know how to kill crabgrass effectively! Remember to follow the tips in this article and always read the labels carefully before using any products on your lawn. You can have the best looking lawn on the block with effort! Thanks for reading!
Last update on 2022-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API