Wondering what the best crabgrass killer is for your lawn? Our list of products below are specifically designed to control crabgrass once it’s present in your lawn; just what you need!
The Best Crabgrass Killers on the Market: Reviews and Buying Guide
As a homeowner, the sight of crabgrass is frightening.
Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) is one of the most common weeds that a lawn can encounter.
This common lawn nuisance is a spring and summer annual grass that traditionally has thicker leaf blades and has a low growing sprawling growth pattern.
One single crabgrass plant can produce well over 100,000 seeds that can lay dormant for years waiting for optimal conditions for growth. The unsightly grass is also common in all regions but is easily controlled with the right methods and products.
When looking at products to control crabgrass you want to verify that it has the active ingredient Quinclorac which is tried and true.
The list of products below are specifically labeled to control crabgrass. After reviewing the best products to kill crabgrass please review our tips to help prevent crabgrass in your lawn in the future.
This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. We only include brands we use and trust. See the full disclosure in the privacy policy.
The Best Liquid Crabgrass Killers
Ortho WeedClear Crabgrass Killer
Best for easy spot spraying and will connect directly to your garden hose. A bonus with this product is that it is also labeled to control over 250+ other common lawn weeds including dandelions.
Pros
- Easy application with built-in hose attachment
- Controls 250+ other weeds
- One bottle will cover 5,000 sq ft
- Can be applied most grass types
- Safe for people and pets once dried
Cons
- None
BioAdvanced All-in-One Weed & Feed
BioAdvanced’s weed and feed product is the perfect product if you did not put down a spring pre-emergent. Apply this product to control crabgrass and other unwanted lawn weeds plus it provides an added bonus of a fertilizer for your lawn.
Pros
- Applied as a granular
- Controls 250+ other weeds
- One bag will cover 5,000 sq ft
- Can be applied to most grass types
Cons
- Lower concentrations of crabgrass killer may not control mature plants
PBI/Gordon QT Trimec Plus Crabgrass Kill Control
This liquid is great for the DIY enthusiast. If you are comfortable mixing and spraying herbicides this budget friendly option is for you. This product does a great job of controlling crabgrass as well as 250+ other lawn weeds.
Pros
- Great for spot spraying crabgrass and weeds
- Very economical
- Controls 250+ weeds
- Can be applied to most grass types
Cons
- Not the best product if you don’t want to mix and measure chemicals
Quinclorac 75 DF Selective Herbicide
This is a professional grade product that is great for the homeowner that has experience mixing and spraying herbicides. This Quinclorac is the strongest crabgrass killer on the market.
Pros
- Highest concentration of active ingredient for controlling crabgrass
- Great for dandelions and other grassy weeds
- Very cost effective per application
- Can be applied to most grass types
Cons
- Not the best product if you don’t want to mix and measure chemicals
Related Posts You Might Like:
Crabgrass Killer FAQs
What is the best product to kill crabgrass?
The best product to kill crabgrass is going to have Quinclorac. If it doesn’t have that as an ingredient, save your money and skip it.
When should I put crabgrass killer on my lawn ?
The best time to apply crabgrass killers are when the plants are new and young. New plants may only require a single application of a product to illicit control while more established plants might require multiple applications to kill effectively.
What are the best crabgrass killer granules?
When looking to purchase crabgrass killers in a granular form you need to check the listed herbicides on the label as well as what weeds are controlled by that specific product. Many granular “weed and feed” products are not labeled control crabgrass. The active herbicide that you want to make sure is listed is Quinclorac which is the most proven crabgrass killer.
What is the best crabgrass killer for bermuda grass?
The best product for controlling crabgrass in bermuda is going to be anything with Quinclorac. We like Orthos Weed Clear’s product as it is easy to spray and works well on crabgrass. When crabgrass is present in bermuda, outside temperatures are usually higher, so when spraying products it may temporarily brown surrounding grass areas but the bermuda will recover.
What is the best crabgrass pre-emergent?
The best way to control crabgrass is to prevent it before it becomes an issue. Crabgrass seeds can lay dormant in your yard for years before they may grow. To combat this issue a good pre-emergent will help kill any plants before they stake claim in your lawn. For pre-emergent applications it is best to apply them when your soil temperature is about 55* fahrenheit as that is when crabgrass begins to germinate in the spring. If checking soil temperatures is not your thing, applying your pre-emergent when the Forsythia bloom is a good rule of thumb. Our favorite pre-emergents include the following.
- Best granular pre-emergent:
The Andersons Pro Turf Barricade Granular Pre-Emergent Weed Control up to 5,800 sq ft. (18 lb) - Best liquid pre-emergent with post emergent crabgrass control:
Quali-Pro Dithiopyr 40 WSB (Dimension) Herbicide - Best pre-emergent to use while seeding:
Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass Plus Weed Preventer – 2-in-1 Formula – Fertilizes New Grass and Prevents Weeds Like Crabgrass
More Crabgrass Killer FAQs
Can you put crabgrass preventer down too early?
Once you apply your crabgrass preventer, or pre-emergent, the lifespan of the product is ticking. If applied too early in the late winter or early spring the weed barrier created may diminish when crabgrass is still trying to grow.
As noted, it is best to apply your pre-emergent when soil temperatures are around 55 degrees or when the Forsythia bloom. It is better to put it down a little earlier than later, but too early and you risk the reduction of the product’s ability to control crabgrass.
Can I apply crabgrass preventer twice?
Applying a crabgrass preventer, or pre-emergent, twice is called a split application. To perform a split application you would first read your products label and determine how much product is used for a single application and how long the product is effective.
Once that is determined you would then apply your first application at half of the recommended rate and then reapply the other half at the halfway point of the products labeled timeline. By performing a split application you will ensure product effectiveness throughout the growing season.
Can you put down too much crabgrass preventer?
Yes! It is always best to follow all product label rates when applying. If you over apply a crabgrass preventer, or pre-emergent, it may damage your lawn’s roots and inhibit adequate water uptake. This will lead to a stressed, diseased, or dead lawn.
Related Lawn Care Posts: