Clopyralid

Clopyralid is a popular active ingredient used in herbicides that eliminate selective weeds like clover, thistles, dandelion, and other hard to kill broadleaf weeds. Clopyralid 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 which contain Clopyralid. On this page you can learn some interesting facts about Clopyralid, it’s mode of action and benefits. You can also access this page to shop our recommended products that are Clopyralid-based.

What is Clopyralid?

Clopyralid (chemical name 3,6-dichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid) is an auxin-mimic type herbicide. It is selective (meaning that it kills a more limited range of plants) than some other auxin-mimic herbicides like Picloram, Triclopyr, or 2,4-D. Clopyralid was first registered as a herbicide in the US in 1987 and has been manufactured by Dow AgroSciences under various brand names like Curtail and Stinger.

There are formulations of Clopyralid labeled for non-cropland and for the control of broadleaf weeds on lawns and turf, range, pastures, and right-of-ways. Over 890,000 lbs of Clopyralid is utilized per year in the USA on agricultural 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

The mode of action of Clopyralid is that it operates as a plant growth regulator by imitating natural plant hormones called auxins. Auxins, which are found in all members of the plant kingdom, are responsible for regulating the amount, type and direction of plant growth, and are mostly found at the tips of plant roots and shoots. Clopyralid enters plants that have been treated through the leaves and roots, and replaces natural auxins at binding sites, resulting in unusual growth patterns and disrupting the growth processes of the plant. 

Clopyralid builds up in the growing points of the plant, causing it to rapidly overgrow which leads to the eventual death of the weed. Death can usually arrive from 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. It is also compatible, 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 given developed a resistance among grasses. It is known for performing outstanding control of common weeds such as clover, dandelion, narrow leaf plantain and thistle and can chemically remain intact in live or dead plants, meaning it can continue to do damage to weeds long after application.

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

Drawbacks of Clopyralid

Clopyralid is a slow-acting herbicide active ingredient and thus you won't be able to see noticable results right away.

Do not use Clopyralid if you do not wish to wait long for results and want 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 applying any of our pesticides) and equipment when handling this product, you will have nothing to worry about when applying. Typical safety equipment to have on when handling this product are safety gloves, goggles, long sleeve clothes and possibly a respiratory safety mask.

What To Expect

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

Featured Products

Sonora (Clopyralid 3)  - Sonora (Clopyralid 3) is manufactured by Alligare for 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 and is a selective herbicide used as a horsetail weed killer but it also controls many other invasive weeds in pastures. Cody Clopyralid is typically sold only to agricultural applicators.