Clopyralid

Clopyralid is a popular active ingredient in herbicides that eliminate selective weeds like clover, thistles, dandelion, and other hard-to-kill broadleaf weeds. It belongs to the pyridine family of chemicals. Clopyralid is persistent when it comes to control and stays in compost or on dead plants for up to 14 months.

Solutions Pest & Lawn is proud to have in our inventory quality herbicides containing Clopyralid. On this page, you can learn some interesting facts about Clopyralid, its mode of action, and its benefits. You can also access this page to shop our recommended products based on Clopyralid.

What is Clopyralid?

Clopyralid is an auxin-mimic herbicide. It is more selective (meaning it kills a more limited range of plants) than other auxin-mimic herbicides like Picloram, Triclopyr, or 2,4-D. Clopyralid was first registered as an herbicide in the US in 1987 and has been manufactured by Dow AgroSciences under various brand names, such as Curtail and Stinger.

Clopyralid formulations are labeled for non-cropland and for controlling broadleaf weeds on lawns and turf, ranges, pastures, and right-of-ways. Over 890,000 lbs of Clopyralid is utilized yearly in the USA on crops.

Clopyralid is a systemic herbicide that can be absorbed through the leaves and roots of the targeted weed. These products are formulated as red-to-brown colored liquid concentrates.

How Does Clopyralid Work?

Mode of Action

Clopyralid operates as a plant growth regulator by imitating natural hormones called auxins. Auxins, found in all plant kingdom members, regulate the amount, type, and direction of plant growth and are mostly found at the tips of plant roots and shoots. Clopyralid enters treated plants through the leaves and roots. It replaces natural auxins at binding sites, resulting in unusual growth patterns and disrupting the plant's growth processes. 

Clopyralid builds up in the plant's growing points, causing it to rapidly overgrow, which eventually leads to the weed's death. Death can usually arrive in as little as a few days to a couple of weeks.

Commercial products containing clopyralid contain either the acid form or one of its three salts: triethylamine, triisopropylamine, or monoethanolamine salts. Clopyralid is also compatible with and often formulated with other synthetic growth regulators, such as 2,4-D, triclopyr, and MCPA4, to control a broader range of weeds. 

Benefits of Clopyralid

Clopyralid is similar to the herbicide Picloram, which also acts as a growth regulator but has now developed resistance among grasses. It is known for outstanding control of common weeds such as clover, dandelion, narrow-leaf plantain, and thistle. It can chemically remain intact in live or dead plants, meaning it can continue to damage weeds long after application.

Use Clopyralid when dealing with broadleaf weeds on pastures, fields, and roadsides.

Drawbacks of Clopyralid

Clopyralid is an active, slow-acting herbicide ingredient; thus, you won't be able to see noticeable results immediately.

Do not use Clopyralid if you do not wish to wait long for results and want a faster kill of your target weed. It also shouldn't be used on residential lawns.

Is Clopyralid Safe?

When applied properly, Clopyralid is safe around pets and children after the product has completely dried. Solutions Pest & Lawn recommends that as long as you wear the proper safety gear (as should be customary to apply any of our pesticides) and equipment when handling this product, you will have nothing to worry about when applying. Typical safety equipment for handling this product are safety gloves, goggles, long-sleeved clothes, and possibly a respiratory safety mask.

What To Expect

Clopyralid applications begin to kill target weeds within 3 to 5 days after contact. Complete control can take up to several weeks, depending on the treatment area, targeted plants, and application method.

Featured Products

Sonora (Clopyralid 3)—Alligare manufactures Sonora (Clopyralid 3) for the control of broadleaf weeds and woody brush in non-crop areas, forestry sites, storage areas, rangelands, and pastures. When using Sonora Herbicide, there are no grazing or haying restrictions.

Cody Clopyralid—Cody Clopyralid is a combination of Clopyralid and 2,4-D from Alligare. It is a selective herbicide used as a horsetail weed killer and controls many other invasive weeds in pastures. Cody Clopyralid is typically sold only to agricultural applicators.