Keeping out weeds is the best way to facilitate the healthy growth of your lawn or garden. An effective weed killer should be able to not only eliminate the existing weeds in your garden, but also prevent them from growing back again. We compared different weed killers based on factors like their ability to kill on-contact, kid and pet-friendliness, and its gentleness on walkways, concrete, and gravel. The best weed killer we found came from RM43 and a single gallon of it can treat up to 17,297 square feet. All of the options in our list are reliable and effective.
Our Top Picks For Weed Killers
The Best Weed Killers
Best Overall
RM43 Total Vegetation Control is the perfect tool to deal with weed growth in your backyard, as it is extremely effective at controlling unwanted plants. Simply spray this 43.68% glyphosate and imazapyr-based weed killer carefully on undesirable plants and see how quickly it kills weeds and prevents them for up to one year. It eliminates weeds, vines, shrubs, crabgrass, purslane, oxalis, and many more pesky plants. It’s perfect for use on fencerows, around farm buildings and barns, and non-crop areas like gravel paths and driveways. It is easy to use and a single gallon can treat up to 17,297 square feet, making this concentrate long-lasting.
Pros
- Kills and prevents undesired vegetation
- Great for spot treatment
- Effective and safe-to-use product
Cons
- Results take a few days after application
Most Pet-Friendly
The ECO Garden PRO Organic Vinegar Weed Killer is the best organic alternative for eliminating your weed problems without hassle! This advanced formula contains only natural ingredients, such as white vinegar, organic rock salt, biodegradable plant activators, and fermentation-derived co-factors, to target weeds and grass effectively. Whether it’s a residential yard you’re trying to clean up or an agricultural field needing pest control, this weed killer covers you with fast results in just 24 hours, eliminating dandelions. chickweed, thistle, clover, and more.
Unlike traditional weed killers, which contain chemical pesticides that can harm your health and the environment, this product is 100% biodegradable, phosphate-free, and safe for groundwater. Best of all, it’s family-friendly: safe for children, pets, bees, or livestock!
Pros
- Kills weeds on-contact
- Safe for pets and kids
- Non-toxic vinegar base
Cons
- Not as effective on waxier weeds
Quick Results
The Roundup Ready-To-Use Extended Control Weed & Grass Killer features a multi-purpose formula that eliminates weeds and prevents future growth for months. The biggest benefit of this weed killer is that it targets the roots of vegetation. It is perfect for removing all kinds of weeds on patios, driveways, sidewalks, walls, fences, and the corners of your lawn. After reading customer reviews, we found out that most users started to see their weeds turning brown within 3 hours of application. The attached extendable Comfort Wand with a continuous spray also offers more accuracy without having to bend over.
Pros
- Becomes rain-proof after 10 minutes
- Up to 4-month weed prevention
- Wand with continuous spray
Cons
- Not for use in gardens
Long Term Effects
Pros
- Last for up to 12 months
- Kills weeds to the root
- Comfort wand is easy to use
Cons
- Comfort wand requires AA batteries
Weed Killer: A Buying Guide
Weeds are pesky little plants that multiply quickly and stunt the growth and health of your garden or lawn. A weed killer is necessary to keep any lawn in pristine condition, but choosing one can be a daunting task, especially with so many available on the market. This buying guide will detail the key factors to consider when looking to buy a weed killer.
Powerful Chemicals
To determine how effective an herbicide will be, buyers should look out for certain chemicals. Imazapyr and Glyphosate are two of the most common and effective weed-killer ingredients you will find, and there is a good reason for this. According to Dan Bailey, President of WikiLawn, “It’s [Glyphosate] effective when it comes to not only killing weeds, but ensuring the area remains weed free in the future, as well.” Formulations will also have other ingredients that focus more on long-term weed prevention, but those two are the key ones to look for. They are effective and safe when used as instructed.
Safety Features
Even if you have the most amazing weed killer that can kill every weed, you have to ensure that it also values your safety. Bailey comments, “Glyphosate is an irritant for skin as well as your throat and stomach, so you can expect some discomfort if you accidentally ingest some or spray yourself with it.” Remember, it is important that whatever chemical the weed killer has, the product should have some means to prevent overexposure. Be sure to look for backpack models, nozzles, and other safety features. You may want to consider a “weaker” weed killer if you’re very concerned about exposure.
A lawn is more aesthetically pleasing with no weeds, but we must stress that having one is not worth risking your health. I always research more about chemicals when buying home products to know which are right for my needs and health profile when shopping.
Water-Resistance
Another thing you should look out for is a water-resistant and quick-drying product. You want a weed killer that will dry quickly because water and rain may affect where weed killer targets and decrease its effectiveness. Additionally, a non-waterproof weed killer means you must wait for your lawn to dry fully to apply weed killer.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing Weed Killer
The best weed killer does two things: eliminates the existing weeds in your lawn and decreases the chance of future weed growth. Like with all products, I’d ask myself a few questions before saying “Yes” to a particular weed killer. Am I treating a small area or a big one? The size of the treatment area correlates to how much weed killer a person needs. Is there any desirable vegetation nearby? If there is, opt for a slightly weaker formula to protect your plants. Am I looking for a weed killer that is “easy-to-use,” “all-in-one,” a “grass killer,” or maybe a “weed-and-feed” product? Use these questions as a guide to finding the right weed killer for you.
What Are the Benefits of Weed Killer?
Quick and Easy Results
The number one benefit of using a weed killer is its ease-of-use compared to pulling weeds. Physically removing weeds is very strenuous; you’ll need to get down on both knees and get your hands dirty. Weed killer provides an easy-to-apply chemical that eliminates weeds and kills unwanted vegetation quickly.
Focused Removal
There will be instances where you will unintentionally spray some herbicide on your desirable vegetation. Weeds grow wherever they like, and that includes in your gorgeous flowerbed. Luckily, with today’s technology, you don’t have to worry too much about accidentally killing plants caught in the crossfire. Good weed-killing products have nozzles to aim at weeds and formulations that physically target them. That means that even if you accidentally spray some of your grass, it will still live.
Root Growth Prevention
A long-term benefit of weed killers is their targeting of roots to stop future growth. Weed killers can prevent growth from between one month to a year. The longer they prevent growth, the better. Check your weed killer product’s fact sheet to determine how often you need to spray your yard to avoid weed root growth.
Saves Time and Money
Lastly, a weed killer opens doors to so many economic benefits, especially for farmers. When weed killers effectively kill off weeds, it dramatically decreases weed control costs. You won’t have to constantly buy weed killer to maintain desired results. Not to mention, herbicides save you hours of time that you would normally spend manually removing weeds and roots.
People Also Asked
What is the best time to use a weed killer?
Spring is often the best time to catch the weeds in their pre-growth stage, hence killing them more effectively. Fall is equally effective for vegetation control because the weeds are generally the most vulnerable during this season.
How long do I have to wait to see results after using a weed killer?
Depending on the type of weed killer you use, it can take anywhere from 12 hours to a few weeks to kill the unwanted vegetation.
What should I do if I accidentally spray my plants with weed killer?
In case of accidental spray, you must act quickly and wash the leaves with a garden hose. The chemicals can dry within minutes, so it's important to wash it off before it gets absorbed into the leaves.
How do I apply weed killer without exposing any of it on some of my vegetation?
First, apply weed killer carefully and focus your nozzle directly on the weeds. Second, only apply a small amount; too much and you risk hurting your plants.
How do I safely use weed killer?
First, make sure you only use weed killer when no one else could potentially touch it, because it can be dangerous. That means don't use it with your kids around, and don't use it when anyone is in your backyard playing. Second, always spray away from you and towards your targeted plant. Spraying towards you is very risky. Third, wear protective gear like gloves and long clothing to cover your skin. Fourth, if you do make skin contact with weed killer, wash it off immediately with running water for at least 15 minutes. If accidentally ingested by children or pets, contact poison control immediately for additional information.
