Crabgrass Control

Most Effective Products

Barricade Granular Pre-emergent Herbicide
Granular
As low as $28.99
Quinclorac 75 DF Herbicide (Crabgrass Killer)
Water Dispersible Granule (WDG)
As low as $50.49
Keith's Pro Tips

"In lawns that have a thin stand of desirable grasses in unfertile soil, clumps of Crabgrass can virtually take over. The best way available to control and eliminate Crabgrass is to establish a healthy lawn that will choke out the grassy weed."

Crabgrass Control: How To Get Rid of Crabgrass

Crabgrass is considered one of the most common types of invasive weeds that grow on lawns. The distinguishing traits of Crabgrass are slender stems which sprawl from a central root underground which resembles the pinchers of a crab.

Crabgrass can spread quickly during the warm summer months and though they disappear in fall, a single weed can typically leave behind thousands of seeds that will be ready to grow and pester lawns the following spring. The best defense against crabgrass is a healthy vibrant lawn. Undesirable grasses and weeds simply won't stand a chance to survive in a well-maintained and nutrient-rich stand of grass.

If you're dealing with a Crabgrass invasion, our DIY Crabgrass treatment guide covers everything you need to get rid of this invader for good. Follow the step-by-step instructions below using the recommended herbicides to the right and crabgrass is guaranteed to no longer be a problem in your yard.

Identification

Crabgrass

It is crucial that you first properly identify the weed you are dealing with to be Crabgrass and not some other weed. Misidentification can lead to using the wrong herbicides, which will waste your time and money.

  • Crabgrass is a grassy weed and can be identified via thick ugly looking grass blades that are coarsely textured and have a bright lime green color to them.
  • Crabgrass can stand out especially when found among uniformly growing darker green turf grasses. Some types of crabgrass have a purple color near the base of the stem.
  • Crabgrass gets its name because of the growth pattern the plant has. Crabgrass grows sideways rather than vertically and so when it is firmly established, the blades spread outward and look like crab legs when clumped together.

Use the description and the image above to confirm whether you are dealing with crabgrass. If you are having trouble identifying which kind of weed you are encountering in your yard, contact us and we will help ID the weed for you.

Inspection

Crabgrass

After you have confirmed that you are dealing with Crabgrass, you should move forward with an inspection to determine where Crabgrass is growing and what the conditions of the area are that is helping it to thrive.

Where to Inspect

Crabgrass seeds start to germinate in the early spring and will begin to grow by the middle of spring. By summertime, Crabgrass really starts to thrive and will begin popping up in large bunches and may even overtake your lawn. If you have cool-season turf, the Crabgrass will likely outgrow it and that's when you'll really start to see it stand out.

Inspect your lawn around those times and focus on the areas where there is full sun. Crabgrass doesn't like to grow in the shade. It is areas with full sunlight that Crabgrass really grows at high rates so this is where you can focus your treatment.

What To Look For

Grass growing in bunches with finger-like blades and redness around the base of the stems. You'll also notice that Crabgrass lays down rather than standing upright when growing.

Treatment

Please be sure that when handling any type of herbicide, you are properly protecting your skin and eyes with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Depending on the timing, we would recommend using a pre-emergent to take care of crabgrass seeds before the seeds germinate. If Crabgrass is already growing and established on your lawn, your best option would be to spot treat the Crabgrass with a post-emergent herbicide such as Quinclorac 75 DF.

Quinclorac 75 DF is a selective herbicide which means it will only target the Crabgrass you want gone and will not do any damage to your desired turf grasses. It is important though to check the label as some turf grasses are more tolerant to applications while others, like St. Augustine grass and Centipede grass, are more susceptible to damage.

Step 1: Measure and Mix Quinclorac 75 DF In A Sprayer

Mixing Quinclorac 75 DF in a Hand Sprayer

Before mixing Quinclorac 75 DF into your sprayer, determine how much Quinclorac you need by measuring the square footage of your target area by measuring (in feet) and multiplying the length and width of your treatment area (length x width = square footage). For spot applications, the rate of Quinclorac 75 DF to us is 0.367 oz. per gallon of water to cover 1,000 sq. ft.

To mix, add half the water into the pump sprayer then add the proper measured amount of product. Close the sprayer, then shake to agitate. Open the sprayer top and add the remaining half of water and agitate once again to ensure the product is thoroughly mixed.

Step 2: Apply Spot Treat Application of Quinclorac To Crabgrass

Spraying Tenacity

Once the product is well-mixed in your sprayer, apply the product to the Crabgrass using a fan nozzle setting. Make sure not to mow 2 days before or after spraying for the best results.

Spraying a fine mist is best when applying herbicides to Crabgrass to ensure the grass is evenly coated. Spray to wet, but not to the point of runoff. Spray on a calm day when temperatures are not too hot and when it is not windy to minimize drift.

The time to kill varies but it should generally take 1 to 2 weeks to see results. If you have warm-season grass, your best mode of treatment will be to pull up the weed using a garden spade or trowel. Dig around the Crabgrass to find its roots and then loosen the soil around it to dig it out. Make sure you dig out the entire root system or Crabgrass will grow back.

Prevention

Applying granules

Preventing Crabgrass from growing in the first place is the best way to deal with the weed as it will be much easier to control as the season rolls on. Use a pre-emergent herbicide like Barricade that will prevent Crabgrass and other weeds on both cool-season and warm-season grasses. Timing is key, however, if you want pre-emergent to make a difference as it will not control Crabgrass that has already sprouted.

Barricade is to be broadcasted using a granular broadcast spreader over your entire lawn. Depending on your turf type, you'll want to use Barricade at a rate of 1.5 to 4 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. Check the label for the exact rate for your turf type.

Load your spreader up with the proper amount of Barricade then broadcast half your granules in parallel lines once across your area then perform another passthrough perpendicularly to the first pass to cover the area evenly. Once the granules are spread, water it in with half an inch of water.

Aside from this, your best defense is a thick, nutrient-rich turf that will choke out Crabgrass and block seeds from receiving sunlight. Mow at a height grass height between 3 to 4 inches. Water less frequently but more deeply and fertilize properly and at the right times for your lawn.

Key Takeaways

What is Crabgrass?

  • Crabgrass is a common grassy weed that is known to grow quickly and take over lawns that are not well maintained.
  • Crabgrass invades the whole turf of your lawn gradually and will not allow any other healthy grass or plants to grow, spoiling the aesthetics of your garden. It can also release root toxin that can destroy the landscape of your lawn.

How To Get Rid of Crabgrass In Your Yard

  • We recommend using or Quinclorac 75 DF to remove established Crabgrass from your lawn.
  • Determine the square footage of your lawn to help you determine how much Quinclorac 75 DF you will need to mix in a sprayer and then apply to the Crabgrass, spraying to wet, but before the point of runoff.

Preventing Crabgrass Reinfestation

  • Prevent Crabgrass before the growing season (early spring) with an application of Barricade Pre-Emergent Herbicide.
  • If your lawn is properly fertilized, adequately seeded, and watered sufficiently, the thick and healthy stand of desirable lawn grasses will make it virtually impossible for the Crabgrass to invade and establish.
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