Does your beautiful green lawn look like it’s hosting an unwanted, spiky visitor? That tough, ugly weed popping up everywhere is likely crabgrass, and it loves to ruin a perfect summer landscape. It spreads fast, chokes out your healthy grass, and turning your yard into a patchy mess. Dealing with crabgrass is frustrating because it seems like you try one solution, and the next season, it’s back even stronger!
Choosing the right way to eliminate this persistent pest can feel overwhelming. Do you use chemicals, try natural methods, or focus only on prevention? We understand the struggle of wanting a lush, uniform lawn without resorting to harsh treatments that might harm your pets or family. This guide cuts through the confusion.
Inside, you will learn simple, effective strategies—from pre-emergent magic to post-emergent knockout punches—that actually work. We break down the best methods so you can finally reclaim your yard. Keep reading to discover your personalized, step-by-step plan for a crabgrass-free lawn this year and beyond!
Top Way To Eliminate Crabgrass Recommendations
- 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
- 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.
- LESCO Quin-Way post emergently controls crabgrass and other major weeds
- Enhance broadleaf control activity when tank-mixed with other broadleaf herbicides like LESCO Three-Way Selective Herbicide
- Quin-Way can provide excellent control of broadleaf weeds like white clover and dandelions when applied as a stand-alone application
- Quin-Way can be applied at the same time as seeding (read label for details)
- Active Ingredients Dimethylamine salt of quinclora
- 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.
- CRABGRASS KILLER: Extreme Crabgrass Killer kills even large, hairy and smooth crabgrass
- SPECIAL FORMULA: The special crabgrass solution kills to the root
- USE ON: Norther turfs such as Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass, and Kentucky Bluegrass
- RAINPROOF PROTECTION: Rainproof in 1 hour
- WON’T HARM LAWNS: Won’t harm lawns when used as directed – kills more than 200 types of weeds as listed.
- PRE-EMERGENT CRABGRASS KILLER: Prevents crabgrass and other undesirable annual grasses.
- UP TO 5 MONTHS CONTROL: Apply with a spreader at the rates directed on the product label.
- APPLY SPRING THROUGH FALL: Apply when weeds are actively growing.
- COVERAGE: This 10.8 pound bag covers up to 3,000 square feet of lawn.
Your Guide to Winning the War Against Crabgrass
Crabgrass is a sneaky weed. It pops up in your green lawn during the summer. It looks ugly. It spreads fast. You need the right tools to stop it. This guide helps you choose the best crabgrass killer for your yard.
Key Features to Look For
When buying a crabgrass eliminator, look for these important things:
- **Pre-Emergent vs. Post-Emergent:** This is the biggest choice. Pre-emergent products stop seeds from sprouting. Use these early in the spring. Post-emergent products kill weeds that are already growing. Choose based on when you see the problem.
- **Active Ingredients:** Check the label. Look for ingredients like Quinclorac or Prodiamine. These chemicals are proven to stop or kill crabgrass.
- **Lawn Safety:** Make sure the product is safe for your type of grass. Some chemicals hurt desirable grass like Fescue. Others only target the weeds.
- **Longevity (For Pre-Emergents):** How long does the barrier last? A longer-lasting product means fewer applications later in the season.
Important Materials and Ingredients
The materials inside the bottle or bag determine how well the product works and how safe it is.
The main materials are the chemicals themselves. For stopping new weeds (pre-emergent), you want a barrier former. These ingredients create an invisible shield in the soil. For killing existing weeds (post-emergent), you need a contact killer. These ingredients burn or poison the active weed.
Also, check the application form. Are you using granules (dry product) or a liquid concentrate? Granules often stay put better in the soil. Liquids mix easily with water for spraying.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one product better than another?
Quality Improvement Factors:
- **Timing:** Using a pre-emergent right before soil temperatures hit 55 degrees Fahrenheit greatly improves success. This timing is crucial.
- **Rainfall/Watering:** Most products need a small amount of water after application to activate them. Too much rain right after application can wash away liquid products, reducing quality.
- **Concentration:** Stronger, properly concentrated formulas usually work faster or require less product per square foot.
Quality Reduction Factors:
- **Using Post-Emergent Too Late:** If the crabgrass is huge, even the best killer might struggle to kill it completely.
- **Poor Coverage:** If you miss spots when spraying or spreading, crabgrass will pop up there later.
- **Improper Storage:** Leaving chemicals in freezing temperatures or extreme heat can break down the active ingredients, making them less effective.
User Experience and Use Cases
How easy is the product to use? Your experience matters for long-term success.
Liquid concentrates often give the user the most control over where the product goes. However, mixing them can be messy. Granular products are usually simpler: spread them evenly with a spreader, then water them in. This is often the easiest path for beginners.
Use Cases:
- **The Preventative Homeowner:** If you hate crabgrass every year, use a high-quality pre-emergent early in March or April. Apply it once or twice a season.
- **The Spot-Treatment User:** If you only see a few small patches, a handheld sprayer with a post-emergent weed killer lets you target only the bad areas. This saves product and protects the rest of your lawn.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Eliminating Crabgrass
Q: When is the best time to apply pre-emergent crabgrass killer?
A: Apply pre-emergent when the soil temperature reaches 55 degrees Fahrenheit for several days in a row. This is usually in early spring, before the lilacs bloom.
Q: Can I use crabgrass killer if I have overseeded my lawn?
A: No. Most pre-emergent weed killers stop all seeds from growing, including grass seed. Wait until the new grass is established before applying pre-emergent.
Q: How soon after applying post-emergent can I water my lawn?
A: Check the label, but generally, you should wait 12 to 24 hours after spraying before watering. This lets the chemical soak into the weed.
Q: Will one application of pre-emergent last all summer?
A: Usually not. Most products require a second application about 6 to 8 weeks after the first one to maintain protection through the hottest part of summer.
Q: Is there a natural way to stop crabgrass?
A: Yes, but it is hard work. Keeping your desirable grass thick and healthy crowds out the crabgrass. Corn gluten meal is a natural pre-emergent, but it is less reliable than chemical options.
Q: Why did my crabgrass killer not work on the existing weeds?
A: You likely used a pre-emergent product. Pre-emergents only stop seeds from growing; they do not kill established, large weeds. You need a post-emergent product for existing plants.
Q: Is it safe to let my dog walk on the lawn after treating it?
A: Wait until the product has completely dried, which is usually a few hours. Always read the label for specific safety warnings regarding pets.
Q: What is the difference between Quinclorac and Prodiamine?
A: Quinclorac is often used in post-emergent sprays because it kills existing crabgrass. Prodiamine is a very common, long-lasting pre-emergent chemical used to prevent future growth.
Q: Can I use a weed and feed product for crabgrass control?
A: Yes, many “weed and feed” products contain pre-emergent chemicals. These are great because they feed your lawn while simultaneously preventing new crabgrass.
Q: How do I get rid of the dead brown crabgrass after I kill it?
A: Once the crabgrass is completely dead and dry (usually a pale yellow or brown), you can gently rake it out or use a strong pass with your lawnmower set to a high setting to remove the debris.