The worst thing about weeds is that they are too difficult to control since they are capable of growing at the same swift pace even in harshest environments.
Imagine how amazing it would be if the edible and ornamental plants possess the same resilience as that of weed? Every one of us would have a lush green yard outside the house but sadly, that’s not possible.
When we talk about weed, the most common one is crabgrass. It gets its name from the crab’s leg-like stems which can get noticed from afar and ruin the entire grace and beauty of your hard-to-maintain garden.
The worst thing about crabgrass is that its seed can stay dormant for about 20-30 years and whenever the temperature for soil reaches 50-55 Fahrenheit, they spruce up. Plus, a single plant of crabgrass can give off a total of about 150000 seeds annually which means a single crabgrass plant is enough to spoil the entire landscape.
In other words, eliminating the crabgrass from your garden permanently is nearly impossible and all you can do is to prevent them from growing each year by applying the best crabgrass killer. Due to this reason, we have come up with a list of the best crabgrass killers that can help you a lot in this man vs. weed battle. Go through the list to get the best warrior and win this battle.
Best Crabgrass Killer Comparison Table
Table of Contents
Eight best crabgrass killer
1. Tenacity Turf Herbicide
The biggest problem the lawnmowers have to face while selecting a herbicide is to check whether the herbicide is safe for the other edible plants and grass of the garden or not. Similarly, most of the crabgrass killers are mainly designed to fight either with pre-emergent weeds or post-emergent weed plants.
However, tenacity herbicide is an ideal solution for both situations – a two-in-one herbicide. And that’s the very reason why we have mentioned this versatile product at the topmost position in our ranking.
If we talk about the main objective of these herbicides, it is mainly designed to kill the post-emergent crabgrass plants and it starts bleaching off the weeds from your yard in just seven days.
The main ingredient of this solution is mesotrione – an organic compound extracted from the corn plant – that is completely safe for seedlings and grass. The formula works by inhibiting the process of photosynthesis in weed plants which, eventually, lead them to die off.
Using this formula is also quite easy as all you need to do is to fill a water tank to the half and pour ½ tablespoon of this concentrate into it. If you are going to use it as a post-emergent crabgrass killer, also add half a teaspoon of non-ionic surfactant in the mixture and spray it in your yard.
- Selective Herbicide
- Not injurious towards the grass
- Works efficiently
- Easy to use
- Mind-blowing results
- Two-in-one crabgrass killer
- Organic
- Expensive
- Not suitable for all grasses
- Not available in ready-to-use form
Tenacity selective herbicide not only wash out the crabgrass from the lawn but also destroys other grass weeds simultaneously. If applied appropriately, this formula could turn your full-of-crabgrass lawn into a no-crabgrass lawn within a couple of days.
2. BASF Drive Crabgrass Herbicid
crabgrass killers could be either oil-based or water-based depending upon the formulation. Both these types of herbicides come with a specific set of advantages. However, if you are aiming for super-fast results then this water-based drive crabgrass killer could be the ideal solution.
We received this pesticide in a 64-ounce can that’s enough to cover an area of about one acre easily. Mainly the product was designed to be used in commercial and industrial landscapes but it’s also available now for residential yards.
If I’d say that it is the most efficient herbicide so far, then that would not be wrong since I applied it on Friday and the crabgrass started to wither and dry till Sunday morning. Besides crabgrass, this solution also showed great results towards killing other weed plants like dandelions, clover, orchid grass, foxtail, and many others.
Don’t confuse the high efficiency of this pesticide with a composition stuffed with heavy chemicals. Instead, the reason why this pesticide works swiftly is due to being water-based which causes it to get absorbed into the soil quickly and start showing the results.
Just as the other selective pesticides, it also works by limiting the photosynthesis in crabgrass plants and destroying the weed roots. The main active ingredient of this weed killer is quinclorac which is also safe for lawn grass.
Since this product stands at the other extremity of the price bar, use it consciously by mixing two-three ounces in a water gallon and spray it over the area.
- Selective Herbicide
- Not injurious towards the grass
- Water-based
- Control many weeds
- Rainproof
- Highly concentrated
- Highly concentrated
- Cause the discoloration of turfgrass
- Not safe for kids and pets
Since the formula is designed to kill the post-emergent weeds, it shows a little efficiency regarding brushing off soft crabgrass. Still, you will observe the outcomes in the form of discoloration, stunted growth, and drying of crabgrass stems. For better results, apply the solution as per instructions and also add the chelated iron to the mixture for applying over turfgrass.
3. Primesource Quinclorac Liquid Crabgrass Killer
This prime source liquid crabgrass killer belongs to the groups of high-priced post-emergent herbicides. The product mainly shows its exceptional miracles over the turf, Bermuda, and torpedo grass, and besides brushing off the crabgrass, it also possesses the ability to remove other weed plants like dandelions, foxtails, orchids, and many others.
This pesticide is also quite easy to use since all you have to do is to dilute the concentrate and spray it all over your yard or at a corner where crabgrass is more concentrated.
The thing which I like the most about this product is that it comes in a huge filled gallon of about eighteen liters which means and since you are not going to spray it directly but by diluting with water, one container would be enough for years.
Similarly, if you are tight on budget and having a big-sized neglected garden, prime source quinclorac will suit you best. As indicated by the name of the product, the main active ingredient is quinclorac which acts by destroying the weed by attacking its roots.
The formula is potent enough that you can apply it even when the crabgrass is sprucing up in your yard for four weeks. Similarly, you can use the product during the seeding phase of lawn mowing.
- Efficient results
- Remove plenty of weeds
- Suitable for various types of grass
- Easy to use
- Safe for kids and pets
- Potent formula
- High-priced product
- Not suitable for pre-emergent weeds
You will see the visible result within two to three days. I was having a completely messed up yard and it was a surprise that this product took only a week to vanish the weed completely. Just follow the directions stated in the product and prepare yourself for getting stunned.
4. Spectracide Weed Stop For Lawns + Crabgrass Killer Concentrate
This two-in-one formula consists of robust powers to kill many types of weeds along with the crabgrass instantly and that’s mainly the feature that makes this herbicide that much high-rated.
Mostly the crabgrass killers available in the market are specially designed with the target of removing crabgrass. If any of those products could serve to remove any weed other than crabgrass, it’s a bonus. Otherwise, such sorts of additional features are not promised.
However, this spectracide product not only offers but promises to brush off both the crabgrass and any other 470 different types of weed in a single application. The formula of these herbicides is potent enough that you would be able to observe the withering and decaying of weeds in just five hours.
Another feature which I liked the most about this product is that it doesn’t come with a restriction of preventing lawn from water exposure for many days. The solution is almost rainproof and you only need to apply it over your garden for two to three hours.
This selective post-emergent herbicide possesses both the quinclorac and dimethylamine salt in its composition. we have discussed the usefulness and selective attacking skills of quinclorac various times up till now.
However, if you are concerned about the behavior of dimethylamine then don’t be worried since this chemical has been used as a pesticide since the 1940s. This chemical compound works slowly but it’s also for a good reason. These slow outcomes ensure to target only the bad plants and the results are also long-lasting.
- Selective, post-emergent herbicide
- Remove up to 470 types of weeds
- Efficient and long-lasting results
- Superb composition
- Ineffective towards the good grass
- Two-in-one formula
- Expensive
- Not suitable for some types of grass
In short, this product possesses the ability to get completely absorbed into the soil in a short span to show its miracles by eating up the roots of the weed. Don’t worry about the grass getting damaged since it’s completely ineffective towards it but only when you take all the instructions into account.
In short, this product possesses the ability to get completely absorbed into the soil in a short span to show its miracles by eating up the roots of the weed. Don’t worry about the grass getting damaged since it’s completely ineffective towards it but only when you take all the instructions into account.
5. BioAdvanced Lawn Weed and Crabgrass Killer
This bioAdvanced All in one formula works on coming in contact with the weed. According to the company, the formula is potent enough to kill more than two hundred different types of weed plants. The statement is true as well since it works on my garden’s crabgrass, clover, and dandelions.
The thing which I like the most about this product is its price range and ready-to-use nature. One bottle of this concentrate is enough to cover an area of more than six thousand square feet. Plus, you don’t need to mix it up with other reagents to increase its specificity. Just add the instructed quantity in the water sprayer and spray all over your crabgrass yard.
I would recommend avoiding using this product if your garden is full of edible plants. This product contains three highly toxic herbicides that would not only kill off the weed but also harm the good plants. Likewise, you should also spray this product when there’s no pet or kid around.
- Economical
- Kills 200 types of weeds
- Rainproof in one hour
- Ready to use
- Easy to apply
- Not safe for kids and pets
- May harm edibles
This crabgrass killer also acts on the roots of the weed and burns them up. If applied properly, you can even get rid of the dormant seeds of crabgrass which will prevent the appearance of the same weed next year. if you are living in a not-too-hot region of the world, bioAdvanced All in one formula is a sure-hit and best-valued weedkiller!
This crabgrass killer also acts on the roots of the weed and burns them up. If applied properly, you can even get rid of the dormant seeds of crabgrass which will prevent the appearance of the same weed next year. if you are living in a not-too-hot region of the world, bioAdvanced All in one formula is a sure-hit and best-valued weedkiller!
6. Ortho Weed B Gon Plus Crabgrass control
This weed killer is also categorized as a top crabgrass killer so we tested it in our lawns as well. I received the product as a ready-to-use sprayer container which is really very impressive.
You just need to open the tap and start spraying the solution over your garden without doing any other arrangements. The product is post-emergent and selective pesticides that are why my turf grass didn’t get spoiled.
After applying the solution, I noticed the quick changes shown by the other weeds of my garden including clover and orchid just in a day. However, the crabgrass took one more day to start yellowing and withering.
The best time to apply this herbicide is when the grass reaches the height of at least two inches while the crabgrass reaches three to four inches. Usually, a single application is required but if you are dealing with some extremely hard-to-remove weed, apply the solution again after the fourteen days of the first-time application.
Most types of good grasses don’t get harmed by applying this Ortho weed B gone herbicides – the main reason why the manufacturer is charging that much high price. For best results and avoid all the side effects, follow the guidelines like avoiding using it near the tree’s drip line and plant’s exposed roots.
- Kill about 250 types of weeds
- Shows efficient results
- Selective, post-emergent herbicide
- Ready to use
- Easy to apply
- Safe towards good grass
- Expensive
The overall performance, method of application, and efficiency of this product are extremely satisfying. Thus, if you are looking for a product to wash out weeds from your residential garden, this solution is good to go. However, due to having an extremely heavy price tag, we cannot recommend it for commercial or extensive weed removal.
7. Compare-N-Save Herbicide
Choosing the right herbicide for a vegetable or flower garden is quite a difficult thing since you not only have to achieve your goal in a short time but also avoid sacrificing the quality of your plants.
Compare-N-save herbicide is made by the manufacturer by keeping the same aim ahead. The most concentrated and active ingredient of this solution is glyphosate that does both highly essential jobs simultaneously.
The first one is killing the unwanted grass and weeds while the second one is preserving the plants to keep them looking thriving and shinier. The specific formula is capable of removing even the unwanted grass and weeds from the sidewalks, fences, and even the driveway so your property looks tied.
The product comes in a concentrated form which means you need to dilute it before using it. The best part of doing so is that you can change the dosage/concentration of spraying solution based on the type of weeds you are having.
The herbicide works by getting absorbed into the crabgrass leaves and then traveling straight to their roots to destroy them. That’s the reason why it shows visible results in just three to four days.
- Specific in nature
- Shows results in five days
- Preserve the plant’s quality
- Kills a huge number of weeds
- Rainproof in only one hour
- Suitable for edible and ornamental
- A stronger dosage could harm the plants
If you are living in a warm region of the world and have multiple types of weeds in your yard, then you should try this concentration out. Follow the instructions for better outcomes.
8. Roundup For Lawns Weed Killer
Just like Compare-N-save weedkiller, round-up also comprises glyphosate as the major active ingredient. However, the concentration of this glyphosate is not that potent which reduces its rate.
After applying the roundup weedkiller in my yard, I noticed that the weed plants started to wilt just in twelve or fewer hours but they took about fourteen days to brush off completely.
The mode of action of roundup weed killer is also the same as that of other glyphosate-containing herbicides. It absorbs into the plant’s body via leaves and travels down the roots to burn them up.
After reaching the roots, it paralyzes the plant’s ability to make protein which in turn inhibits the process of mitosis in them to stop the cell growth. As the enzyme is also a protein, the plant’s metabolism stops working and drives the weed plant towards death. The thing which I found impressive is that it absorbs quite earlier than other weed sprays which, in turn, makes this solution rainproof in just a few minutes. You can notice the effectiveness of this product over the weed by seeing the wilting and discoloration of leaves after several hours.
- Systematic functioning
- Show results in 7-14 days
- Rainproof in thirty minutes
- Long-lasting results
- Easy to use
- Not suitable for warm regions
The product is quite effective in removing harmful and unwanted weed plants. However, it’s better not to spray it over a sunny day since the product will be wasted by evaporation.
Buying guide
Until now, you have known almost everything about the top-rated crabgrass killer but you must be wondering about which brand or which product you should purchase.
To move forward towards the buying procedure and make a good and beneficial decision, here are some points you need to consider while shopping around such as
Chemical nature
Weed Killers are usually of two types; inorganic and organic. Organic weed killers are nothing but the residual extracted from organic matter like corn gluten or gelatin.
This kind of organic weed killer can limit the weed seed germination and helps the user to get a clean yard for some time. However, the results are slower and it doesn’t harm the biotic and abiotic factors of the ecosystem.
On the other hand, inorganic weedkillers are the ones we call herbicides since they are made up of toxic and extremely heavy chemicals. These chemicals affect the roots of the weed plant and brush them off completely deep down from the soil.
However, such herbicides may prove quite toxic towards pets and kids but still, they show much faster and better results than organic weed killers.
Types of crabgrass killers
Usually, two main types of crabgrass killers are available to purchase based on the time of usage. If you want to infest your yard before the growing season like before the starting of spring or when the crabgrass roots have not anchored in the soil, you should go towards pre-emergent weed killers.
On the other hand, if you want to brush off the weed when it has started to grow at an immense rate, then you should go towards a post-emergent weed killer.
FAQs?
Conclusion
We have discussed almost all the types of crabgrass killers in this article and all the products we have mentioned above are top-rated and best sellers. However, our top picks crabgrass killers that we like the most are
Tenacity Turf Herbicide due to its organic composition, selective nature, and easy application.
Primesource Quinclorac 1.5L Liquid Crabgrass Killer due to being safe towards pets and kids, showing excellent and super-fast results and capability to remove a wide range of weeds
BioAdvanced Lawn Weed and Crabgrass Killer due to being an efficient post-emergent herbicide, easy to apply, and quick to rainproof.
We tried our best to provide information about crabgrass killers and the trending products in the market. We hope that this review would help you to find the best crabgrass killer by helping in narrowing your search so you can manicure your lawn most desirably.