Today we are sharing the best dandelion killers to keep that pesky little weed out of your lawn. If you are looking to find products that are effective and long lasting, this list has got you covered.
How to Get Rid of Dandelions
Some homeowners have no issue with dandelions invading their lawns. After all, dandelions are a delight to kids. Their yellow flowers are stunning and attractive. Blowing their seeds makes for an enjoyable experience for kids.
However, the presence of dandelions might spell doom for your sod. Not only will they push out other plants around them, but they will also consume nutrients and water meant for the grass, leaving the surrounding patches of grass malnourished.
If you value your lawn and its long-term health beauty, you should kill all dandelions that sprout in your yard.
When left unchecked, dandelions might colonize your entire lawn. Their fluffy and floating seeds reach far and wide, making dandelion control daunting after the first few seeds disperse. As such, the earlier you deal with this weed, the better it is for your lawn.
Today, we will explore the best dandelion killer for you to kill this turf grass weed once and for all.
While each of the listed herbicide has its strength and weaknesses, they are all effective at getting rid of dandelions.
6 Effective Dandelion Killers for your Yard
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Quali-Pro 2-D Herbicide
Quali-Pro 2-D Herbicide is an herbicide that has been formulated to control broadleaf weeds that sprout in your lawn. With two main active ingredients – Triclopyr (33%) and Clopyraid (12.1%) – this herbicide is fast-acting against dandelions. Luckily, the herbicide is selective by design; it does not affect your turf grass in any way. Consequently, you can use the herbicide in various areas, including rangelands, sod farms, grass pasture lands, backyard lawns, and any other non-crop areas.
Pros
- Formulated to kill broadleaf weeds, hence effective against dandelions
- Easy to apply;does not clog the sprayer
- Good coverage
- Mixes well
Cons
- Instructions are not easy to follow when treating small properties
Select Source Triad QC Select-3-Way Herbicide with Quinclorac
With three active ingredients (2,4-D, Dicamba, Quinclorac), the Select Source Triad QC Select-3-Way Herbicide is highly effective in treating hardy dandelions post-emergence. Triad QC Select-3-Way’s formula has been perfected for the late summer and/or spring clean up after dandelions have taken root and emerged. This herbicide is an excellent product for homeowners dealing with crabgrass and broadleaf weeds, such as dandelions.
Pros
- Effective weed killer for post-emergence treatment
- Pet safe (when applied as directed on the label)
- Can be used in a wide variety of areas, including residential properties, golf courses, sod farms, athletic fields, among other areas
- Targets numerous broadleaf weeds, such as dandelions, spurges, foxtails, and clovers
Cons
- Not available in some regions
- Cannot use the herbicide for pre-emergence applications
Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed
Keeping your lawn green takes more than killing grass weeds. It also requires feeding the grass to give the lawn the much sort-after lush green hue. The Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed combines a herbicide and a grass feed in one treatment solution. When you apply the treatment, you not only get rid of dandelions but also feed your grass.
Pros
- Effective in killing a wide variety of grass weeds, including dandelions and clovers
- Kills the weeds while feeding your lawn
- Safe to use on many grass species, including Bermuda, Ryegrass, Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Centipede
Cons
- The application process is quite involving as it works on damp grass only
- Mature and tough weeds take longer to die
Ortho Weed-B-Gon Ready-To-Use Weed Killer For Lawns
Designed to kill weed plants to their roots, the Weed-B-Gon Weed Killer is one of the most effective dandelion killers. The product does not affect your grass whatsoever when applied as directed. Formulated to kill over 250 different grass weeds, you do not have to worry about weeds overrunning your lawn when you use this product.
Pros
- Suitable for killing the tough hard-to-control weeds
- Easy to use
- Ready to use for spot treatment applications
- You can use the herbicide for pre and post-emergence applications
Cons
- Slow acting
Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action – Weed Killer & Preventer
The Triple Action is another Scotts Turf product on this list. However, this particular product is designed to perform three things – to kill dandelions (and other grass weeds), prevent them from growing, and nourishing your lawn. Given that the Turf Builder Triple Action will prevent the growth of broadleaf weeds for up to 4 months, this weed killer is an upgraded Scott Turf weed killer.
Notably, the improvements do not come at the cost of reduced weed killing effectiveness. It is still useful in killing dandelions, just like other Scotts weed killers.
Pros
- In addition to killing weeds, it prevents weed growth for up to 4 months
- Nourishes your grass
- Suitable for both pre-emergence and post-emergence applications
- Perfect for spring application
Cons
- Works on damp grass only
- The fine granules of the Triple Action make application difficult when there is a breeze
Roundup For Lawns Ready to Use – All-in-One Weed-Killer for Lawns
This herbicide has been formulated to be fast-acting and tough on in hard-to-kill grass weeds. Roundup For Lawns, one of the best dandelion killer herbicide on the market, is a good option if you want to deal with dandelions for good. It is useful as a post-emergence weed killer and will free your lawn of over 250 different species weeds.
Additionally, this selective herbicide is rainproof in as little as 3 hours. You do not have to worry about a light shower carrying away the treatment.
Pros
- Easy to apply thanks to its built-in extended wand
- Kills over 250 grass weeds
- Rainproof in just 3 hours
- Fast-acting
- Effective on tough weeds
Cons
- Not suitable for Southern types of grass
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Other FAQs About Getting Rid of Dandelions
How do you kill dandelions but not grass?
The best way to kill dandelions is to use a selective broadleaf herbicide. This type of herbicide is formulated to kill broadleaf weeds, including dandelions, without affecting grass.
Alternatively, you can use non-selective herbicides to spot-kill dandelions. Using a non-selective weed killer is a risky option, as the grass around the spot will be affected.
It worth noting that to kill dandelions effectively, you should apply your chosen selective and non-selective herbicide before they start to flower. After flowering, they are difficult to kill, even when you use non-selective herbicides.
How do I permanently get rid of dandelions?
The most effective means of getting rid of dandelions for good is to target their roots.
Regardless of the treatment you choose, you should ensure you target and kill the entire root system. Whether you decide to uproot the plant or apply herbicides, ensure you target the roots as well.
Should you pull dandelions?
Uprooting the plant is one way of getting rid of dandelions. If you notice a handful of dandelions in your lawn, you can opt to uproot the plants to remove them from your yard.
However, when pulling a dandelion, you should ensure you remove every inch of its roots. Their brittle taproots are easy to break, which increases the risk of dandelion regrowth. Roots as small as 1 inch is sufficient to generate a new plant. To prevent the regrowth of dandelions, ensure you uproot the weed and its entire root system.
To increase the odds of successful uprooting, you can use a specialized tool designed to aid pulling dandelions. However, all things considered, the best and easiest solution to a dandelion infestation is to use the best dandelion killer listed above.
Is there a natural or organic way to kill dandelions that works?
If you are an ardent proponent of organic gardening, you’d be pleased to note that organic and natural means of removing dandelions (aside from pulling the plant) are available.
The only caveat is most organic dandelion killers are best used for spot treatment. One of the most effective organic dandelion killers is pure white vinegar. Spray the vinegar until it covers the entire dandelion plant to kill the weed.
You might need to repeat the spray multiple times until the plant turns brown.
You can also use rubbing alcohol to kill the plant. Spray the weed plant with rubbing alcohol thoroughly. Finally, you can use boiling water to kill the plant. After the plant wilts completely, pull it from the ground.
Final Throughts
Do not allow dandelions to wreak havoc on your lawn when you have the choice of killing the weed.
There are plenty of options when it comes to the best dandelion killers. Use one of the herbicides we have listed above to get rid of dandelions permanently.