Generic Glyphosate vs. RoundUp

When it comes to controlling problematic weeds on a lawn, one of the most popular chemicals to get the job done is Glyphosate. For decades, Glyphosate has been an essential tool for land managers or farmers looking to eliminate invasive weeds that are interfering with landscaping and with agriculture.

The Glyphosate-based product that is the most popular is the brand name known as RoundUp. Created by Monsanto, RoundUp is the best-selling herbicide in the entire world with everyone from agricultural farmers to DIY homeowners using their products. 

While RoundUp is certainly effective in how it uses Glyphosate to kill weeds, do generic Glyphosate alternatives to RoundUp stack up well against the name brand?

What is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is a herbicide active ingredient that delivers non-selective control of invasive plants. The term “non-selective” means that the chemical has the capacity to kill or harm most plants it touches—whether it be weeds, grass, flowers, or sometimes trees. 

In order to work, Glyphosate needs to be absorbed through plant foliage (leaves, etc.). Once it does, it travels through the plants system to disrupt its development and essential processes until it breaks down and dies. 

Glyphosate is used to kill weeds in and around fences, trees, driveways, flower beds, walkways, shrubs, and lawns invaded by weed to prepare for renovations and garden preparations.

When using Glyphosate, it's important to be careful not to spray your valuable and desirable plants, since again Glyphosate will kill most plants that absorb the product through foliage.

RoundUp or Generic Glyphosate?

Glyphosate was first developed by the company Monsanto under their trademarked name for the chemical, RoundUp. Monsanto had patent ownership of the Glyphosate formula until the expired in 2003. Various companies now develop generic brands of RoundUp, such as Eraser from Control Solutions and Glyphosate 4 by Alligare.

When it comes to efficacy, is RoundUp superior to these generic variations? According to tests conducted by various institutions, the conclusion was that there are only minor differences between generic brands of glyphosate and Monsanto’s RoundUp.

If you were to ask lawn care experts (like us), we'd tell you that if you were to buy the more expensive name brand RoundUp over a generic brand Glyphosate product, you'd mainly be spending the extra money for the brand label and packaging.

Generic brands work just as effectively as RoundUp and deliver the same weed control, but at a more economical price. If you are on a budget, it would be wiser to go with a generic brand and save a few bucks.

Our Glyphosate Recommendations

Solutions Pest & Lawn carries both RoundUp and low-cost generic varieties. The brands that we highly recommend for weed control over RoundUp is Eraser 41% by Control Solutions Inc. and Glyphosate 4 Plus by Alligare.

Eraser 41% Glyphosate is better suited for small spot treatment applications conducted by homeowners to remove weeds from their lawn or driveway. If you are a lawn care professional or manage a large commercial property, Glyphosate 4 Plus would be the better option to treat weeds using a professional spraying rig.

How to Use Glyphosate Products

Mixing and applying Glyphosate products is very easy to do. Before you proceed, however, it's important to first be geared up for the task by wearing the proper personal protective equipment in the form of gloves, protective eyewear, long sleeved clothing and a face mask.

Step 1: Measure Your Lawn Square Footage

Determine how much Glyphosate product you need by calculating the square footage of the area you wish to treat.

To do this, measure and multiply the area length times the width (length x width = square footage). For spot treatments of Eraser 41% Glyphosate, the label states 2.5 oz. of Eraser mixed in 1 gallon of water will treat 300 sq. ft.

For example, if you measured a treatment area that is 1,200 sq. ft., you would need to mix 10 oz. of Eraser in 4 gallons of water to treat the entire area.

Step 2: Mix the Eraser in a Sprayer

A handheld pump sprayer is the preferred piece of equipment to use because it will help you get more precise control and also avoid as much drift as possible.

It’s also wise to label the sprayer as “non-selective” because you don’t want to mix the chemicals in the sprayer with a selective herbicide and potentially burn your yard in the future.

Fill your sprayer halfway with the required amount of water. Add the proper measured amount of Eraser 41% Glyphosate and then fill with the remaining half of water. Close the sprayer lid and then shake the sprayer until the solution is well mixed.

Step 3: Apply the Eraser 41% Glyphosate to Target Weeds

Begin spraying the target area making sure to keep the sprayer nice and low to ground close to the vegetation so it doesn’t drift. Try to spray on a day that is not windy.

If you are spraying in areas where there is desired grass or plants, you need to proceed with caution so you don't get the Glyphosate on them and damage the vegetation. Get the vegetation wet, but not to the point of runoff as you don'y want the chemical dripping onto other non-target plants.

Keep your nozzle low and close to the ground and aim in a sweeping motion if weeds are growing along cracks.

Step 4: Reapply As Needed

You should start to notice yellowing in just a couple of days and within a week or two, the plants should be dead. If there is resistance or the plant is persistent a reapplication may be necessary.

Key Takeaways

What is Glyphosate? What is Roundup?

• Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide active ingredient designed to control unwanted vegetation on residential, agricultural and commercial landscapes.
• Glyphosate was developed by Monsanto, the makers of the popular name brand RoundUp.

Glyphosate vs RoundUp

• While RoundUp is the brand name and original, there are generic alternatives to RoundUp that are just as effective, while being more economically priced like Eraser 41% Glyphosate and Glyphosate 4 Plus Weed Killer.