As a child, seeing your lawn sprout bright yellow dandelions probably filled you with pure joy. As an adult, though, the very sight that made you so happy as a child most likely makes you cringe. It might even make you angry to think that you have to deal with dandelions ruining your otherwise perfectly manicured lawn by merely existing.
If this is the case, and you’ve decided to do away with them via weed killer, you’re in for quite the experience. The perfect weed killer can be hard to find; we understand this and that’s why we’re pleased to share with you a few of the best dandelion killers on the market.
11 of the Best Dandelion Killers
1. Preen Extended Control Weed Preventer
With the ability to be safely used around 600 plant species including a variety of groundcovers, trees, and perennials, this handy solution is a go-to product for millions of homeowners. It’s available in a number of package sizes, which makes it easy to purchase the right amount of product.
It can be applied to over 125 broadleaf weed species including dandelions and is designed to be used as a preventative measure rather than to kill existing weeds. This being said, once the existing weeds have been pulled and Preen has been applied, the application area will be safe from weed growth for as long as 6 months. As a result, your lawn or flower bed will stay weed-free all season long.
One application of Preen is all that’s needed to effectively block weeds from growing; the product is highly concentrated and made up of a precise ingredient mixture that targets weeds before they sprout. Preen is best applied during the spring, but if you miss springtime application, there’s no need to worry – the product can be applied anytime that weeds are growing.
Pros:
- Prevents weeds from growing for up to 6 months
- Starts working with one application
- Available in various package sizes
- Easy to apply
Cons:
- Can’t be used on edible food gardens or potted plants
2. Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed Killer
Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed Killer is ideal for helping you maintain and establish a weed-free space. The product comes in a number of package sizes and, unlike many other weed killers on the market, won’t harm the environment when it’s applied.
The product is made with a blend of natural ocean water, commercial-grade food-safe vinegar, and soap, which makes it biodegradable and earth-friendly. Moreover, it also means that the product won’t be harmful to you, your children, or your pets, either. The smell that comes from the vinegar solution is light and barely noticeable; it dissipates within a day and leaves no residual odor.
Application is made easy via a simple spray-on technique that evenly saturates weeds, setting them up to wither and die within 12-24 hours. Some grassy weeds may take longer than 24-hours, but will still turn brown and perish within record time.
If you have any leftover product, it will stay good for years on the shelf, saving you from having to throw out excess product and waste money buying more.
Pros:
- All-natural and eco-friendly
- No chemical smell or toxicity
- Pet friendly
- Results within hours
Cons:
- Not for use on lawns
3. Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer
Guaranteed to get rid of weeds, Green Goblin’s Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer is a highly trusted dandelion weed killer that is both affordable and efficient. The mixture is made up of natural ingredients and not a trace of toxic chemicals, with 20% acetic acid being the main herbicidal agent. It is OMRI certified as safe for organic use.
This handy dandelion killer is safe to use in residential, commercial, and industrial areas, boasting the ability to be effective on weeds that grow in unsightly places. These include driveways and parking lots, concrete, barns, and flower beds. It should not be used in edible gardens.
In addition, Green Gobbler is incredibly easy to use. It uses an easy-spray application and doesn’t need to be diluted, mixed, or otherwise prepared. The product is 4x stronger than household vinegar, which makes it an excellent natural herbicide. Since the product is so much stronger than traditional vinegar, it starts working quickly; within just 24 hours.
Pros:
- OMRI certified for organic use
- Ready to use
- Starts killing dandelions in 24 hours
- Uses natural ingredients and no cancer-causing chemicals
Cons:
- Non-selective and can kill other plants in the area if they are sprayed
4. Southern AG Amine 2,4-D Weed Killer
Dandelions are no match for Southern Ag’s Amine 2,4-D Weed Killer. The weed killer is composed of pure 2,4-D-Diclorophe and contains no other chemicals or ingredients. It can be used to manage over 120 species of broadleaf weeds including dandelions and poison ivy.
The weed killer is also safe for use in parks, golf courses, pastures, and lawns, making it versatile and multi-purpose. It’s designed to kill weeds and not the grass around them, but should not be used in high concentration or in a manner that overlaps usage.
Before using the product, the only thing that is required is mixing it with the appropriate amount of water and attaching a sprayer system. Once you’ve applied the product, weeds will start to wither and die within just a few hours. In most cases, the weeds are totally dead within one week, leaving your lawn free of weeds and looking great.
Pros:
- Safe for use on most types of turf
- Simple preparation and usage instructions
- Kills over 120 types of weeds
- 100% 2,4-D
Cons:
- Does not include spray head or nozzle
5. Ortho Weed B Gone
Weed B Gone is available in two package sizes, as well as various types of packaging. You can purchase it in concentrate, trigger, or wand form, allowing you to choose which application method is most appealing and best for your intended purpose. Each package type boasts a unique convenience and great value.
Weed B Gone has been specifically created for use on lawns and will not harm the grass present when used properly. This makes it safe for residential and commercial uses where aesthetics is an important factor and where more delicate types of grass are prominent.
Weed B Gone is highly effective and penetrates deep into the soil to target the roots of weeds, killing the entire plant from the roots up. It works on a wide variety of broadleaf weeds including clover and dandelions. To ensure that the weeds soak up as much of the product as possible, it dries quickly and is rainproof within one hour of application.
Pros:
- Targets only weeds and leaves grass unaffected
- Available in three different types of packaging
- Kills over 250 types of weeds
- Rainproof within one hour of application
Cons:
- Not available for purchase in some states
6. Ortho Groundclear Vegetation Killer
Ortho GroundClear is a highly concentrated, reliable weed killer for dandelions and other stubborn weeds including ragweed, fescue, creeping charlie, bur clover, and chickweed. Available in a number of different package sizes, it’s ideal for both large and small areas, as well as one-time use and repeat use. The product comes in a wand, concentrate, and spray form.
After it has been applied to an area, the mixture effectively prevents weed regrowth for up to an entire year, giving you peace of mind and simplifying your weekly maintenance routine. It can be used along fence lines, around patios, on walkways and paths, and on driveways, but should not be used on edible gardens or lawns.
Just one application delivers results within a few hours, rainproofing setting in within just one hour. In addition, it dries quickly and once it is fully dry, it becomes safe for pets and children to be around.
Pros:
- Ideal for use on an array of areas
- Rain and moisture-proof within an hour
- Safe for pets and children once dry
- Results within 6 hours
Cons:
- Cannot be used on lawns or around vegetable/fruit gardens
7. Preen StepSaver Weed Control
Boasting the ability to both kill weeds and fertilize the grass around the weeds, Preen’s StepSaver Weed Control formula is everything saving-savvy gardeners need to maintain a weed-free space. The solution effectively kills over 250 species of broadleaf weeds and prevents crabgrass and other invasive grasses from growing.
In addition to its main weed control ingredient, the formula also includes a specialized time-release fertilizer that releases over a period of three months. This fertilizer uses nitrogen to improve the health and growth of grasses and desirable plants.
Step Saver is safe for use on lawns that are made up of most types of grass but shouldn’t be used on gardens or flower beds. It should also not be used on St Augustinegrass but works well for most other types, leaving the grass weed-free and healthy.
The product can be applied in spring or when weather is cooler, so long as weeds are actively growing and established.
Pros:
- Designed to be gentle on lawns
- Works on 250 species of weeds
- Fertilizes grass and kills invasive weeds
- Can be used in spring or fall
Cons:
- Reports of slow results
8. Espoma Organic Weed Preventer
Espoma Organic Weed Preventer is an organic, earth-friendly way to battle unwanted weeds and grasses like dandelions. While it doesn’t kill existing weeds, it does prevent the roots of weed seedlings from thriving, ultimately blocking their growth.
It is made from corn gluten meal, which comes from the manufacturing of cornstarch and is safe for children and pets to be around after application. The product is ideal for increasing the amount of nitrogen in the soil and giving laws a boost, while simultaneously protecting them from unsightly weeds.
Moreover, the product’s application process is a breeze; it is applied in its granulated form, which is easy to sprinkle and spread. The application isn’t messy and won’t be affected by wind as spray products could. Once applied, the product doesn’t have any unpleasant odors.
The included instructions are easy to follow, outlining the application process in a step-by-step manner and with minimal fancy words. This adds to the product’s convenience and general ease of use, making it great for busy homeowners.
Pros:
- Prevents the growth of dandelions and other weeds
- Safe for pets and children
- No odors
- Fertilizes lawn by boosting nitrate levels
Cons:
- Will not kill existing weeds
9. BioAdvanced All-In-One Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer
This BioAdvanced product is known for its ability to wipe out infestations of dandelions. In addition to dandelions, it can also target and destroy clover, crabgrass, and more than 200 species of broadleaf lawn weeds. It’s available in 4 convenient packaging options that range from spray to concentrate; each one gives the same excellent results.
When applied as directed, the product is safe for use on residential lawns. It won’t turn the grass brown, kill it, or otherwise cause any damage. After one hour of drying the product is waterproof and can stand up to rain, which makes it a fantastic product to use in climates that get a lot of rain and moisture. Pets and children are safe to be around the product once it has fully dried and can’t be transferred from one place to another.
Adding to this product’s appeal is how quickly it starts to work. Most users can observe their targeted weeds fading in color within a few days and turning yellow/wilting within a week or two.
Pros:
- Weeds start to die quickly after application
- Rainproof after one hour
- Available in four packaging options and sizes
- Suitable for all climates
Cons:
- Can kill flowers and other plants
10. Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns
A highly trusted dandelion weed killer, Weed Stop for Lawns has been a homeowner favorite since it emerged onto the market. Each bottle of the product contains a concentrated mixture of herbicide that works to destroy weeds while leaving your lawn safe and untouched.
It can kill over 200 species of common lawn weeds including both dandelions and hard-to-kill clovers. The process starts within the roots, the formula killing the plant from the root up and ensuring that it won’t come back next season. The best time to use the product is when temperatures are below 85 degrees Fahrenheit and when children and pets will not be outside.
This particular version of the formula is easy to use as it’s available in an easy spray bottle that simply attaches to the garden hose. It can also be purchased as a concentrate sans the spray bottle attachment, making it a smart choice for those who already have a go-to sprayer system.
Results are usually noticed within a few short days; the weeds will be wilting and drying out, with total plant death occurring after a few weeks.
Pros:
- Kills weeds from the roots up
- Easy to use
- Safe to use on grass
- Weeds shrivel and wilt quickly after application
Cons:
- Can damage certain types of turf
11. Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer
Another great product from Spectracide, this weed-killing product makes ridding your space of weeds quick and convenient. It has been designed to kill weeds and prevent them from regrowing for up to 5 months after the initial application.
It works quickly and is able to kill a variety of weeds and grasses including dandelions and crabgrass, taking them down from the root up to ensure that they are properly disposed of. After application, weeds start to wither and die within just 3 hours and the product becomes rainproof within only 10 minutes. After this happens, it is also safe for children and pets to resume play in the treated area.
The best results are noticed when the product is used in warm weather. In addition, it’s recommended that the product not be used on areas with the potential to be seeded sooner than 3 months after application, as the product can prevent grass from growing within this time frame.
Pros:
- Prevents weed growth for 5 months
- Quick results
- Rainproof and safe for pets within 10 minutes
- Easy to apply
Cons:
- Some areas require multiple sprays
Best Dandelion Killer Buying Guide
Product Volume
The volume of product that the weed killer’s container can hold helps determine the value for money. The bigger the container is, the better the price is per ounce. While this isn’t always true, it’s a general rule of thumb that is often followed by manufacturers.
For example, a container that holds one-gallon probably costs more than a quart of product, but still less than four quarts. If you think you’ll need to use the weed killer regularly or for other areas, it’s a good idea to invest in a bigger container of it.
Temperature Requirements
To use some weed killers, the weather must not be too hot. With these types of weed killers, the higher the temperature is, the less likely the solution is to do its job. Generally, the threshold is around 90 – 100 degrees.
There are, of course, always exceptions to this rule. There are a number of weed killing products that have a temperature cap of roughly 80 degrees. These products are best suited for a cooler climate and will be pretty useless in areas that are usually very hot.
When buying a weed killer, try to find a product that has a high-temperature threshold. This ensures that the product will continue to be effective even if the weather warms substantially.
Application Type
As with many other products, weed killers are often available in a variety of different packaging. Essentially, this means that the same product will usually be offered in a few different packages that each have a different application method.
You’ll have to decide which application type is best for you and choose a product that matches your preference. The most common application types are spray, concentrate, and pellet.
Pellet forms include everything from fine mulch-like products to small granules; these products will have to be distributed by hand. Spray products usually attach to a garden hose via a nozzle on the package, while concentrated forms need to be mixed with water and then poured into your desired distributor – a sprayer, for example.
Natural or Chemical
You’ll also want to decide whether you want to go the natural or chemical route with your dandelion killer. There are pros and cons to both, as well as certain circumstances where each would not be the best option.
Organic weed killers are ideal because they are non-toxic and don’t harm the environment. Chemical weed killers, on the other hand, are often made with toxic chemicals and are not good for children or pets to be around. They’re also not the best for the environment or wildlife. They are, however, likely to be more potent and work faster than organic weed killers.
Frequently Asked Questions
To kill dandelions but not grass you need to use a weed killer that is selective. Selective weed killers target only weeds.
The best product to kill dandelions is a matter of preference. However, you won’t be disappointed with any of the options above.
There are certain products that are made using organic ingredients like vinegar and natural acid.
The best way to physically remove dandelions is by hand. When it comes to killing them, however, they are best dealt with by using a herbicide.
Conclusion
The quest to find the best dandelion killer can be quite the event. With so many promising products on the market, it can be hard to decide between them. If you purchase any of the products we’ve suggested above, however, you can rest assured that you won’t be disappointed.
Before you decide on one, though, be sure to consider the temperature requirements of your product in comparison to the average temperature in your area. In addition, be sure not to forget about the application of your product, how much product you need, and whether you want a natural or chemical solution.