Selective Herbicides

Selective herbicides are chemicals designed to kill or damage specific broadleaf and grassy weeds while sparing others.

When selective herbicides are sprayed on a lawn, the product harms specific target weeds while your desired grasses and plants remain unaffected.

Selective herbicides are great to use when you see weeds growing in areas among your desired grasses and plants. You don’t have to worry about being careful with spot treating and getting chemicals on your grass and harming it in your efforts to kill the weed.

Selective herbicides are very easy to use. Mix the selective herbicide of your choice in a handheld sprayer with water according to the label directions. Then, apply it to the targeted plants you want destroyed —and that's it!

Shop our top recommended selective herbicides below. If you need help choosing the right product or would like more information on applying it properly, our experienced lawn care experts will be happy to assist you.

Our Recommendation

Fahrenheit Herbicide - is a metsulfuron-methyl (MSM) selective for broadleaf weeds and turf. It controls many different weeds found in cool and warm-season lawns. Fahrenheit Herbicide can be used on the entire lawn or as a spot treatment, leaving the grass unharmed.

Fahrenheit Herbicide is a dual-action systemic herbicide that works through the leaf surface and the roots. When using Fahrenheit herbicide, you spray the target weed around it so it soaks in through the roots, making it much more likely to kill the plant.

2,4-D Amine Selective Weed Killer - is an effective herbicide that eliminates broadleaf weeds and brush. It is formulated to protect most grassy lawns, turfs, and various crop areas from unwanted weeds. It can also be used to control unwanted aquatic weeds and trees.

Tools Needed

• Pump Sprayer
• Your choice of selective herbicide

PPE

• Chemical Resistant Gloves
• Dust / Mist Mask
• Safety Glasses

How to Use Selective Herbicides

Step 1: Measure and Mix The Herbicide

Calculate the square footage of the area to be treated to determine how much herbicide you need for your application. Measure and multiply the target area's length and width (length x width = square footage).

For spot applications with warm-seasoned turf, mix 0.2 oz. of Fahrenheit Herbicide per 1 gallon of water per 1,000 sq. ft. 

For spot treatments in cool-seasoned ornamental turf with 2,4-D Amine Selective Post-Emergent Herbicide, apply 1/4 pint of product with 3 gallons of water. 

A non-ionic surfactant is also recommended for the herbicide to better cover and stick to the target weeds. We recommend using Nanotek Surfactant.

Just mix 1 oz. of Nanotek Surfactant per 1 gallon of spray solution. 

Place the appropriate amount of product in a gallon hand sprayer with water and shake until well-mixed. You can also add it to a hose-end sprayer bottle.

Step 2: Apply the Product

Begin spraying the target area, keeping the sprayer low to the ground and close to the vegetation so it doesn’t drift in the wind.

Spray lightly, avoiding any of your desired grass. Even though the product is a selective herbicide, you will still want to spot-treat it.

Get the vegetation wet but not to the point of runoff, as you do not want the chemical dripping onto non-target plants. Be particularly careful to avoid spraying non-target tree roots.

Things To Consider

• Identifying your specific weed to find the best selective herbicide for your target weed and one that will work on your grass type is important.
• A pump sprayer is the preferred piece of equipment because it will help you get more precise control and avoid as much drift as possible. It’s also wise to label the sprayer as “selective” because you don’t want to cross-contaminate the chemicals in the sprayer with non-selective herbicide and potentially kill your yard.

Key Takeaways

• Selective herbicides are chemical products designed to kill specific broadleaf or grassy vegetation while leaving desired grasses and plants unharmed.
• Our top recommended herbicides are Fahrenheit Herbicide and 2,4-D amine selective weed killer.
• Reapply selective herbicides as needed when dealing with more persistent weeds.