Dicamba

Dicamba is a selective herbicide active ingredient that is known for killing broad-leafed weeds (as opposed to grass family plants). It is commonly used in conjunction with other herbicides, such as Glyphosate, and according to the National Pesticide Information Center is currently found in about 1,100 herbicide products. 

Solutions Pest & Lawn has a number of products in our herbicide inventory that contains Dicamba and we highly recommend products with this active ingredient to our customers who work in the agricultural industry for control of various invasive weeds. On this page, you can learn some interesting facts about Dicamba, its mode of action and benefits. You can also access this page to shop our entire line of products that are Dicamba-based.

What is Dicamba?

Dicamba is a benzoic acid selective herbicide. It was registered with the EPA in 1967 and is a broad-spectrum herbicide that specifically targets broadleaf invasive weeds. Dicamba is versatile and is usually formulated with other active herbicides ingredients like 2,4-D, MCPP, and MCPA.

In its natural form, Dicamba is a white to brown crystalline solid. Dicamba can be soluble in water, and it boils at 200°C. Dicamba has a variety of acid and salt formulations. It is commercially available in liquids, liquid concentrates, wettable powders, granules, water-dispersible granules, and sprays. 

Dicamba has the ability to be used as a pre-emergent and a post-emergent herbicide for broadleaf weeds. When combined with other herbicides, dicamba is used in pastures, rangelands, and non-crop areas (fence rows, roadways) to control weeds.

How Does Dicamba Work?

Mode of Action

The mode of action of Dicamba is that it mimics the natural plant hormone auxin. Auxins, which are found in all living plants in the 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. Dicamba enters plants that have been treated through the leaves and roots and replaces natural auxins at binding sites. 

This interference leads to abnormal growth patterns in the weed. The chemical builds up in the growing points of the plant and leads to the targeted plant to begin growing at a rapid rate. When applied at a sufficient concentration, the plant outgrows its nutrient supplies and dies.

Benefits of Dicamba

Dicamba is an excellent herbicide active ingredient because it helps to control weeds that have developed resistance to other herbicide modes of actions (such as Glyphosate). Dicamba also can remain active in the soil where it has been applied for up to 14 days.

Dicamba is best used to treat stubborn invasive weeds selectively. Make sure to check the label though to for details on what it can successfully treat.

Drawbacks of Dicamba

While Dicamba is effective there are cases where some desired vegetation will have a low tolerance for the active ingredient. There are also cases where certain weeds will be resistant to Dicamba.

Do not use Dicamba for weeds that are not specifically labeled to be controlled by the active ingredient.

Is Dicamba Safe?

Dicamba is safe to use when applied according to label directions and as long as you wear the proper safety gear and equipment prior to handling the active ingredient.

What To Expect

Use Dicamba as a selective spot treatment of any emerging weeds you don’t want growing on your property, especially ones that are resistant to Glyphosate. Use a coarse nozzle to help lessen spray drift On average it should take 2 to 3 weeks for the Dicamba to take effect and totally kill the target weed. In some cases, repeat applications may be needed when the weed is particularly persistent.

Featured Products

Dicamba Plus 2,4-D Herbicide -  Dicamba + 2,4-D Herbicide (the generic version of the popular brand Weedmaster) by Alligare LLC is a selective post-emergent herbicide used for controlling a wide spectrum of annual, biennial, and perennial broadleaf weeds and brush in grass forages and selected row crops.

3-D Herbicide Triplet Alternative- 3-D Broadleaf Herbicide from Quali-Pro (generic Triplet) with Dicamba, 2,4-D and Mecoprop-P can be used to control clover, dandelions, henbit and many other broadleaf weeds in non-residential lawns.