There’s a reason the phrase “growing like a weed” is so popular. Weeds can pop up practically anywhere! Unfortunately, weeds aren’t just unsightly; they can also inhibit the growth of grass, garden vegetables, and other vegetation you want to cultivate.
Weed killers help you regain control of your lawn and garden. However, sorting through all the options to find the right product can quickly grow confusing. If you’re not sure which to choose, check out our list of the best post-emergent herbicides for 2019. We’ve also included a complete guide to their use.
Say goodbye to pesky weeds and hello to a more beautiful landscape around your home!
At a Glance – Our Top Picks.
Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Concentrate
When you break out the Roundup Weed and Grass Killer, weeds know their time is limited. It kills weeds and unwanted grasses within 12 hours. Designed for use in a sprayer, it eliminates weeds around flowers, trees, and shrubs. However, you don’t want to use it around fruits, vegetables, or other edibles.
Why We Like It
- Kills weeds within 12 hours
- Rainproof within a half-hour of application
- Designed for tank spraying
Specs
- Six ounces of concentrate per gallon of water
- 18% Glyphosate
Our Verdict
Although you want to keep it away from anything you plan to eat, Roundup’s spray kills unwanted weeds and grasses without harming flowers, trees, and other wanted foliage. It’s a strong, fast-acting herbicide for general purpose use.
Editor Rating: 4.5/5
Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer
Compare-N-Save’s 41% Glyphosate formula kills grasses and weeds by attacking them at the roots. It’s made for use along driveways, walkways, and around shrubs.
However, this powerful herbicide will kill practically any growth it touches, so you want to avoid using it on your lawn or around any edibles.
Why We Like It
- Potent concentrate makes enough spray to cover large areas
- Attacks weeds at the roots to remove them completely
- Works continuously over two to four days
Specs
- Contains 41% glyphosate
- Concentrate makes 85 gallons of spray
- Covers over 25,000 square feet
Our Verdict
Compare-N-Save’s herbicide is an excellent option if you want to attack large areas consisting primarily of weeds and non-organics.
Editor Rating: 5/5
RM43 Total Vegetation Control
RM43 uses a deadly combination of two herbicides and a surfactant not only to kill weeds today but also keep them away for up to a year. They clear unwanted vegetation from areas around fences, sidewalks, concrete, and similar.
Why We Like It
- An excellent option for removing all vegetation from an area
- Safe for pets and people two hours after application
- Contains “one-two punch” of Glyphosate and Imazapyr
Specs:
- Makes 21 gallons of spray
- Covers 17,297 square feet
- 43% Glyphosate
Our Verdict
RM43 is an easy way to remove all vegetation from large areas. Plus, it has the added benefit of remaining safe for animals and people.
Editor Rating: 4.5/5
Blindside Herbicide Broadleaf Weed Killer
Blindside weed killer is a specialized formula that removes a wide variety of hard-to-kill vegetation, including most types of warm-season turfgrass, including Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, and St. Augustinegrass.
If you’re trying to remove grass but not having much luck, Blindside can deliver noticeable results within a week.
Why We Like It
- Kills notoriously resilient broadleaf weeds, sedges, and grasses
- Targets both above-ground leaves and root systems
- Works well in both warm and cool temperatures
Specs
- 60% Sulfentrazone
- Eight ounces of concentrate
- Treats over 50,000 square feet
Our Verdict
If you’re dealing with weeds and grasses that resist traditional herbicides, turn to the heavy-duty formula found in Blindside’s weed killer. It targets stubborn weeds at the root to kill them and prevent their return.
Editor Rating: 4/5
Ortho Weed-B-Gone
From trusted weed and pest killer Ortho, Weed-B-Gone poisons weeds all the way down to the roots. You can attach the bottle directly to a garden hose for fast, efficient, and mess-free application.
Why We Like It
- Kills a wide variety of weeds including ground ivy, wild violet, and more
- Won’t harm your lawn
- Bottle connects directly to a garden hose for large-scale spraying
Specs
- Treats areas up to 6,400 square feet
- Remains rainproof for up to six hours
- Requires two tablespoons of formula per gallon of water
Our Verdict
Ortho’s Weed-B-Gone works best on active weeds. It’s ideal for climates that have a lot of rain because it remains effective for up to six hours when wet.
Editor Rating: 5/5
Fiesta Selective Post-Emergent Turf Weed Killer
Fiesta Selective’s Turf Weed Killer proves a powerful weed killer doesn’t have to be unsafe or unpleasant to use. It’s odor-free, safe around pets and people, and doesn’t stain.
Why We Like It
- The powerful formula shows results within 24 hours
- Safe for use around living creatures; typically allowed in areas with pesticide bans
- Remains effective within three hours of rain and in both hot and cold weather
Specs
- Contains 26.52% Iron HEDTA
- One gallon of formula covers 10,000 square feet
- 2.5-gallon container
Our Verdict
Choose Fiesta Selective if you need to spray in areas frequently used by people and pets. It’s a popular choice for killing weeds around homes and public places.
Editor Rating: 4/5
Southern Ag Crossbow
Southern Ag Crossbow is a heavy-duty herbicide that kills large vegetation, including brush and trees. It’s made for use in grasslands and pastures.
Why We Like It
- Designed for use on large vegetation
- Kills poison oak, poison ivy, and other potential hazards
- Can be used as a spray or for spot treatments
Specs
- 34.4% 2,4-D
- One quart
- Requires four to six fluid ounces per three gallons of water
Our Verdict
Although it’s not the best option for killing everyday weeds around your house, it’s perfect for removing large amounts of brush, ivy, and other vegetation from wide-open areas.
Editor Rating: 4/5
Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed Killer
The doctor is in. This weed killer is all-natural and environmentally-friendly. It’s an excellent choice for use around pets and kids.
Why We Like It
- All-natural ingredients include food-grade vinegar, soap, and ocean saltwater
- Leaves the environment surrounding the weeds unharmed
- Contains no toxins, glyphosate or hormone-disrupting chemicals
Specs
- Available in quart, gallon, 2.5-gallon, and 5-gallon reusable jugs
- Contains food-grade, non-toxic ingredients
Editor Rating: 5/5
Our Verdict
Although it costs more than most synthetic weed killers, Doctor Kirchner’s all-natural formula is one of the safest options for use around living creatures. It also targets weeds without harming the surrounding vegetation.
Buyers Guide Questions
What are Post-Emergent Herbicides?
There are two ways to kill weeds. You can either get them before they appear or after they’ve emerged from the ground.
Killing weeds before they’re visible is the ideal solution. However, weeds are tricky. Predicting where they’ll appear isn’t easy.
When weeds rear their ugly heads, you’ll want a post-emergent herbicide. They not only target weeds you can see, but they help prevent their return.
What are the Different Types of Post-Emergent Herbicides?
This type of weed killer is broken down into a few sub-categories. You’ll want to understand the different types because it affects how and where you use them. First, they can be either:
- Systemic
- Contact
Systemic herbicides seep into the plant then move into its root system. They’re the best way to kill perennial weeds. A perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. If a perennial weed isn’t completely poisoned to its core, it’s likely to return the following year.
Contact herbicides kill the exposed parts of the weed, such as the leaves and stalk. They’re effective on small weeds without well-developed root systems and annuals, which are weeds that live for only one year.
For many weeds, spraying the visible portion is enough to poison the entire structure of the weed, eliminating it once and for all.
What are Selective and Non-Selective Herbicides?
Again, there are two categories to consider:
- Selective
- Non-selective
Selective herbicides only damage certain types of weeds. They’ll leave grass and other foliage alone. A selective herbicide is usually the best choice for removing weeds in your garden or lawn.
A non-selective is far less picky about what it’ll kill. They’re used to remove anything and everything growing in a specific area. If you have a field filled with weeds, a non-selective herbicide will clear it.
Non-selective herbicides are also ideal for removing weeds around non-organic material. For example, they’re used to kill weeds sprouting up from cracks in the sidewalk or driveway.
How Do I Apply Herbicides Safely?
Herbicides are also available in two forms:
- Granular
- Liquid
Granular herbicides are small, rock-like particles you pour around the weeds. They sink into the ground and poison the weed at the root. However, they’re often dangerous to handle, so you’ll want to wear gloves. Also, keep pets and children away from the granules.
Most herbicides are available in liquid form. With a liquid concentrate, you mix the formula with water. Liquid herbicides are typically applied with a sprayer attached to a garden hose. Some liquid herbicides include a bottle with a built-in sprayer.
Except for a few all-natural options, most herbicides require careful application. Even products that become safe when dry pose potential risks during the spraying process.
Treat herbicides like any other toxic chemical. Following the safety guidelines for pesticides is a good way to stay safe during application:
- Keep children and pets indoors during spraying
- Wear gloves, long sleeves, a face mask, and eye protection
- Only spray-on clear, wind-free days
- If you accidentally inhale any herbicide, seek medical attention
Also, remember that herbicides are still dangerous even when not in use. Store them in a safe, locked area away from any heat source. Generally, you want to use all the herbicide you have and dispose of any unneeded portion according to your city’s rules for disposal of hazardous materials.
Top Pick
If you’re looking to kill any and every weed on your property, RM43 Total Vegetation Control is our top recommendation. Combining two herbicides and a surfactant, it not only kills visible weeds but also helps prevent their return for up to a year.
Premium Choice
Although Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed Killer costs more than the other herbicides on our list, you gain peace of mind knowing the formula is environmentally-friendly and safe for use around children, pets, and other living creatures.
Great Value
True to its name, the best value is the Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer from Compare-N-Save. It’s a concentrated formula that makes 85 gallons of spray to cover 25,000 square feet. Plus, its killing properties stay active for up to four days.
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