This guide is to assist with herbicide choices and to help ease the long list of options. This is a breakdown of commonly used herbicides. Reference this list for a more complete chart. Use the companies in the quick links at the top of the page to purchase these herbicides. Plants have shown resistance to herbicides and this is becoming an increasing problem. Always apply herbicides using label rates. Lower rates may increase herbicide resistance. When optimal to do so, mix multiple groups so the plant is attacked in different ways making it much harder to build up any resistance. Always wear protective clothing per the product label. (Products listed in parenthesis are brand names. Look for generics to save $$.)
Popular Herbicides
Group: 1
Clethodim (GrassOut Max, Arrest Max)
Florasulam (Defendor)
Dithiopyr (Dimension)
2,4-D, Dicamba, MCPA, MCPP-Mecoprop (Typical 3-way herbicide)
Amicarbazone (Xonerate)
Bensulide (Bensumec)
Glyphosate (Roundup)
Glufosinate (Finale)
Carfentrazone (QuickSilver)
Isoxaben (Gallery)
Diquat (Reward)
Mesotrione (Tenacity)
Adjuvants:
Most herbicide's efficacy can be increased with the addition of surfactants, nitrogen, and ph adjustments. Always read the herbicide label as some specify which ones to use and which ones to avoid.
Surfactants:
Popular Combinations
3 way herbicide: Controls most broadleaf weeds.
Soul Stealer: Kills bermuda and zoysia grass for a renovation. Kills all other weeds and grasses too...
Products available at home improvement stores
It is best to buy concentrates since the costs are much lower per application from the companies in the quick links at the top of the page but if you have a really small yard or need something today...
Bayer Season Long Weed Control
Popular Herbicides
Group: 1
Clethodim (GrassOut Max, Arrest Max)
Kills all grasses but not flowers and shrubs. Great when you accidentally "over" seed into mulch or flower beds.
Fenoxaprop (Acclaim Extra)Mainly to control crabgrass, stiltgrass, and goosegrass.
Fluazifop (Fusilade II, Ornamec)Stunts bermuda but helps to control crabgrass and goosegrass.
SethoxydimKills all grasses but not flowers and shrubs. Great when you accidentally "over" seed into mulch or flower beds.
Group: 2Florasulam (Defendor)
Targets broadleaf weeds. Works well in cooler temps.
Halosulfuron (Sedgehammer, Sedgemaster, ProSedge)Mainly to targets sedges but also many broadleaf weeds.
Imazapyr (Polaris, TVC)Pre and post-emergent. Non-selective. Kills almost everything. Lasts in the soil up to 1 year.
Metsulfuron (MSM Turf, Manor)Targets many broadleaf weeds.
Group: 3Dithiopyr (Dimension)
Pre-emergent and Post-emergent. Has some post emergent activity on crab grass. Doesn't have a long lasting effect, but it depends on application rate.
Pendimethalin (Pendulum)Pre-emergent.
Prodiamine (Barricade, Resolute)Pre-emergent. Lasts 3-8 months depending on application rate. Cheap. Apply in fall for winter weeds and apply in spring for summer weeds.
Group: 42,4-D, Dicamba, MCPA, MCPP-Mecoprop (Typical 3-way herbicide)
Post-emergent to target most broadleaf weeds. Main product for weed control. Dicamba shouldn't be used on tree roots.
Quinclorac (Drive)Mainly to target crabgrass. Can be applied around seeding depending on type of grass seeded.
TriclopyrMainly for broadleaf weeds but works well on tougher plants like ivy. May stunt bermuda.
Group: 5Amicarbazone (Xonerate)
Mainly for poa annua control. Also labelled for poa trivialis control. Big $$.
Group: 8Bensulide (Bensumec)
Pre-emergent. Consider using this if you reach prodiamine and dithiopyr annual limits.
Ethofumesate (Poa Constrictor, Prograss, Rightline ETHO 4 SC)Mainly to target poa annua. 2 apps in the fall and 1 in the spring (best as pre-emergent).
Group: 9Glyphosate (Roundup)
Non-selective post-emergent. Kills all green plants. Bermuda will take multiple applications.
Group: 10Glufosinate (Finale)
Non-selective post-emergent. Kills all plants but does not translocate systemically.
Group: 14Carfentrazone (QuickSilver)
Works on many broadleaf weeds but mainly added to other herbicides to hasten their effects.
Pyraflufen-ethyl (Octane)Works on many broadleaf weeds but mainly added to other herbicides to hasten their effects.
Sulfentrazone (Dismiss)Mainly to target sedges but also works on many broadleaf weeds.
Group: 21Isoxaben (Gallery)
Pre-emergent. Targets most broadleaf weeds. Not labelled to control crabgrass, goosegrass, and poa annua.
Group: 22Diquat (Reward)
Non-selective post-emergent. Kills leaf tissue within 2-3 days but does not translocate systemically. Works well in cool weather. Add to glyphosate to speed up burndown.
Group: 27Mesotrione (Tenacity)
Pre-emergent, mainly to target weeds during seeding. Also targets poa annua as a pre-emergent.
Post-emergent to target mainly bentgrass and nimblewill but has some activity on poa annua and bermuda.
Topramezone (Pylex)Post-emergent to target mainly bentgrass and nimblewill but has some activity on poa annua and bermuda.
Post-emergent to control bermuda and zoysia. Big $$$ but cost per 1000 sq ft is low.
Adjuvants:
Most herbicide's efficacy can be increased with the addition of surfactants, nitrogen, and ph adjustments. Always read the herbicide label as some specify which ones to use and which ones to avoid.
Surfactants:
NIS: non-ionic surfactant
COC: crop oil concentrate
MSO: methylated seed oil
Organosilicone
Other additions:COC: crop oil concentrate
MSO: methylated seed oil
Organosilicone
AMS: ammonium sulfate (nitrogen & lower PH)
citric acid: lower PH
citric acid: lower PH
Popular Combinations
3 way herbicide: Controls most broadleaf weeds.
2,4-D, Dicamba, MCPP or MCPA (usually already sold together but adding NIS and AMS can be helpful)
Soul Stealer: Kills bermuda and zoysia grass for a renovation. Kills all other weeds and grasses too...
Triclopyr, Fluazifop, Glyphosate, (Topramezone if you have it), AMS, NIS. This has a 3 week reseed interval. Drop the Triclopyr and Fluazifop and Topramezone closer to seeding. Consider applying 2 apps of sethoxydim or clethodim prior to Soul Stealer.
Products available at home improvement stores
It is best to buy concentrates since the costs are much lower per application from the companies in the quick links at the top of the page but if you have a really small yard or need something today...
Bayer Season Long Weed Control
3 way herbicide for most broadleaf weeds with a pre-emergent
2,4-D & MCPP & Dicamba & Isoxaben
Roundup for Lawns: (NOT glyphosate!!! Double check label)2,4-D & MCPP & Dicamba & Isoxaben
Kills most broadleaf weeds including crabgrass and sedges.
MCPA & Dicamba & Quinclorac & Sulfentrazone
Spectracide Weed Stop for LawnsMCPA & Dicamba & Quinclorac & Sulfentrazone
3 way herbicide for most broadleaf weeds, same as WBG
2,4-D & Dicamba & MCPP
WBG: Weed B Gon2,4-D & Dicamba & MCPP
3 way herbicide for most broadleaf weeds
2,4-D & Dicamba & MCPP
WBG CCO: Weed B Gone Chickweed, Clover and Oxalis 2,4-D & Dicamba & MCPP
Management of tough broadleaf weeds
Triclopyr
WBG crabgrass: Weed B Gon crabgrassTriclopyr
Standard WBG with kicker to include management of crabgrass
2,4-D & Dicamba & Quinclorac
2,4-D & Dicamba & Quinclorac