Weed Killer Reviews and Guide – A Must Read for Buyers
Are you looking for the best weed killer that is available in the market today? Go online, open your favorite search engine, and do your research. For sure, you will be overwhelmed with the abundance of the options that you will be confronted with, each making aggressive claims that they are better than all of their competitors. To help you reach a decision, keep on reading. We will and we will also identify some of the most important things that should be taken into account, increasing the likelihood that you will be making a decision that won’t bring regrets.
Types of Weed Killer
Generally speaking, they can be grouped into four different types, each offering their respective benefits and applications:
- Residual Weed Killers: This weed killer is soil acting. Meaning, it kills the entire soil. This will not only eliminate weeds, but also kill any plant in the soil. There are some of them that can remain in the soil even for years. This is only recommended in places where you are sure that you do not want plants to grow. Many of the weed killers falling under this category, however, have been banned by relevant authorities.
- Contact Weed Killers: As the name implies, this kills weed through direct contact, allowing you to be as selective as possible in which you would want to kill. It is fast acting and will only kill the plant or the weed in the place where it is applied. This is the best choice for annual weeds.
- Systemic Weed Killers: In this type of weed killer, growth is inhibited hormonally. It leads to the reduction in the chlorophyll and protein that is present in plants. It can be applied only on a specific portion or weed without the need to be worried of affecting others within the surrounding area.
Forms of Weed Killers
Generally speaking, weed killers can exist in the following forms:
- Liquid Herbicides: This is perhaps the most common among the forms of weed killers that you can find in the market. They can be further classified into two. The first one is premixed, which is the most popular. All what you have to do is to mix it with water and it is ready to be sprayed. The second one is ready mixed. There is no need to mix it with water. Right out of the bottle, it can be sprayed directly on the part that will be treated.
- Granular Herbicides: As the name implies, this exists in the form of grains. One of their benefits is ease of application. When they are watered, they dissolve and this is when they take effect.
- Soap Salts: They are made from fatty acids of potassium and ammonium salts. They should be applied directly to the weed or the portion where they will be needed. They are also popularly used in areas where you would want to eliminate the growth of algae and moss.
- Organic Herbicides: They are made from organic acids and are a common choice for more discerning users. Some of the most common ingredients that you can find in this type of weed killer include acetic acid, lauryl sulfate, garlic oil, and clove oil, among others. This is the best choice for a weed killer because it is natural, and hence, not posing any harm for both humans and the environment.
Essential Factors to Consider
To make it easier for you to search for what is best within the product category, make sure to take the following factors into consideration:
- Place of Application: One of the first things that you should do is to determine where specifically the weed killer will be applied. For instance, if it is going to be used for the lawn, selective granules will be the best, allowing you to choose specifically where such will be applied. For mulch beds, on the other hand, you can use pre-emergent granular weed killers.
- Ingredients: You should also be responsible enough to take a look at the list of the ingredients that are used and do your research. Make sure that there are no ingredients that can be harmful or toxic, especially to you. If it is chemically-prepared, it will most probably contain 2,4-D, which is the same substance that has been used in Agent Orange. See to it that it is made with the use of natural ingredients to avoid any risk.
- Severity of the Problem: Not all weed killers are the same. Some are made for light problems, while there are also others with higher strength components and are meant to tackle more severe applications. Consider the extent of the weed problem to help you choose which product is right.
- Type of Weed: Are you dealing with seasonal or perennial weed? What type of weed is present in the area that will be treated? This is perhaps one of the first things that should be given careful thought, given the fact that not all of the products available are meant to treat all types of weeds.
- Feedbacks: At the end of the day, if you are clueless about which one will make the best pick, it would be wise to consult with what other people have to say. You need to read online reviews or ask around people you personally know. You might have neighbors or friends who can recommend an excellent brand. Through their real-life experiences, it will be easier for you to weigh the pros and cons of the possibilities.
Top Weed Killer Reviews
In this part, we will take a quick look at five of the best options that are available in the market. We will briefly discuss some of their most notable features, as well as a few of their pros and cons.
1. Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer
In many of the weed killer reviews that you can find online, this is one of the top recommendations, providing you with the confidence that it will indeed be effective and will provide the best value for the money.
Among others, one of the best things about this model is that it is rainproof, but this is only for a period of two hours.
It is also worth noting that it comes with a concentrated formula. This should never be sprayed directly on the weed. It should first be mixed with water. When it is mixed with water, you can prepare up to 85 gallons of the mixture, which will be more than enough for an area of 25,000 square feet.
Fast-acting – this is another reason why this is going to be an exceptional choice within the product category. Once it is sprayed, in as quick as 48 hours, it can already take effect. However, keep in mind that it will kill the vegetation within the area, which makes it perfect only in places where you do not want plants. This is not made for use in lawns.
Things We Liked:
- Efficient since it comes in a concentrated formula
- Fast-acting
- Covers a large area
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Not ideal for lawns
- Some users reported that it did not work for them
2. Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Concentrate Plus
Among other things, the FastAct Technology is perhaps one of the most impressive features of this weed killer. This means that within a period as short as 12 hours, its effects will already be evident. You do not have to wait long before the results can be visible.
It has 18% of glyphosate. The latter is one of its best ingredients. It targets only the enzyme that is found in plants, and not pets or humans.
Another feature that makes it impressive is that it kills in a manner that is selective, which means that the plants and soil that are not being targeted will not be killed. Its absorption will only be through the leaf and stem, not on the soil.
Lastly, it is also efficient. One quart of the formula can already be good for making ten gallons of weed killer mixture. It is sure to last long, especially for minimal applications.
Things We Liked:
- Results are visible within 12 hours
- Kills even the toughest weed
- Perfect even for larger jobs
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Minimal rainproof protection
- No extended control formula
3. Southern AG 2,4-D Amine Weed Killer
The low and economical use of this weed killer is one of its advantages above its competitors. Per acre, you only need one to four pints, which is pretty much impressive compared to the coverage of most of the options in the marketplace.
The reconstitution of this product is pretty much simple, making it user-friendly. Simply mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of the formula with 3.5 gallons of water. This will already be perfect for large yards while providing you with the guarantee of optimal coverage.
It is suitable for a wide array of applications, including lawns, golf courses, parks, and even pastures.
When using this weed killer, however, extreme caution should be observed. Its main ingredient is 2,4-D, which is the same chemical that has devastated Vietnam during the war. See to it that it is used based on the instructions from the manufacturer. It should also be kept in a secured place.
Things We Liked:
- Economical
- High concentration for broad coverage
- Works within 24 hours
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Can kill perennial plants
- Can be a significant health risk
4. Spectracide 95834 Weed Stop For Lawns
The versatility of this product is one of the reasons why you should consider choosing it above other alternatives. It can kill more than 200 types of weeds, making it useful in many applications.
One container is good for treating an area that is as expansive as 16,000 square feet, making it a good choice if you have larger lawns. There are some, however, who noted that you might need more to treat weed.
Given the impressive list of active ingredients that are used in the product, you can expect such to take effect just within a few hours after its application.
In order to ensure the high level of effectiveness, however, there are certain things that should be observed. For instance, it is important that the air temperature is not more than 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Otherwise, it can result in lawn damage. You should not also wet the area within six hours after its application.
Things We Liked:
- Can kill a wide array of weeds
- Does not harm the lawn
- Acts fast
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Recommended concentration seems a bit weak
- You might need a lot to be effective
5. Ortho Weed B Gon Weed Killer for Lawns
One of the reasons why this is a favorite within the marketplace is the fact that it can easily tackle even the toughest weeds. In fact, based on the specifications from the manufacturer, it can kill up to 250 weeds, which include clover and dandelions.
It is also worth noting that it kills weed straight to the roots upon its application. It might be slower acting than others, but with patience, you can soon see the results. The best thing is that it does not harm the lawn in any way, making it perfect even for the garden.
Ease of use is one more thing that you will enjoy about this product. There is already an included sprayer, which makes it effortless to make the most put of this weed killer.
Lastly, it also has crabgrass control. This is one thing that you do not often find in other choices with the product category.
Things We Liked:
- Guaranteed to kill even tough weed
- Does not harm the lawn
- Good directions are provided by the manufacturer
Things We Didn’t Like:
- A bit slower than others
- Can leak from the included sprayer
Conclusion
The benefits that you can reap from the use of a weed killer will depend on the effectiveness of the specific product that you will pick. This makes it important to play the part of an intelligent and responsible buyer. Never make a decision only based on price. Take time to consider the weed killer reviews and buying guide mentioned above. By keeping these things in mind, you will be a step closer into making the right choice.
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Homyden
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