Summer is great, isn’t it? The cold weather has finally gone, and we all can’t wait to get into our yards and gardens for barbecues and beers.
The problem is, we’re not alone in enjoying this climate, as unsightly, unwanted visitors start to return in an attempt to ruin everything.
I am, of course, talking about weeds.
And if your property is on the larger side, then they can be even more of a nuisance to eradicate.
So, in a series of articles dedicated to destroying problematic vegetation, let’s first take a look at the best weed killers for large areas.
A buyer’s guide with helpful tips and tricks will follow.
Don’t let weeds ruin your summer – reclaim your garden now!
Contents
- 10 Best Weed Killers for Large Areas 2024
- Spectracide Weed Stop Concentrate for Lawns
- Preen Extended Control Weed Preventer
- Roundup Concentrate 365 Vegetation Killer
- Compare-N-Save Grass and Weed Killer
- Scotts Turf Builder Crabgrass Preventer
- Quali-Pro Prodiamine 65 WDG Pre-Emergent Herbicide
- Green Gobbler 20% Horticultural Vinegar Weed Killer
- Monterey Remuda Concentrated Herbicide
- Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Concentrate
- RM43 Glyphosate + Weed Preventer
- How to Choose the Best Weed Killer for Large Areas
- Summary
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10 Best Weed Killers for Large Areas 2024
Spectracide Weed Stop Concentrate for Lawns
Homedepot.comLet’s begin with this weed stop concentrated formula from Spectracide.
For use with your garden hose attachment, it will cover up to 5,000 square feet and won’t harm your lawn if used as directed. No mixing is required in this ready-to-use applicator bottle, and it will kill over 470 different weeds with results in as little as five hours.
The formula is rainproof three hours after application, and it’s especially effective on crabgrass if used at the first sign of trouble. A contact, post-emergent herbicide with 2, 4-D, dimethylamine salt as its active ingredient, this will kill to the roots of all those pesky lawn invaders.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Fast-acting.
- No glyphosate.
- Excellent price.
Cons
- Mixed reviews might put people off.
Conclusion
Decent coverage for a budget-friendly price, this weed stop for lawns has a lot of potential. Just make sure you strongly adhere to the application instructions otherwise you may achieve unwanted results.
Preen Extended Control Weed Preventer
Our second entry belongs to 13.75 lbs of Extended Control Weed Preventer from the household name Preen, a company that has been manufacturing lawn care products since the 1940s.
This particular product is a pre-emergent weed preventer, which is specially formulated to stop the little devils before they become a nuisance. Just one application is guaranteed to block weeds for up to six months and is potent on 125 varieties of unwanted, broadleaf and grassy weeds.
It comes in granule form and is easily spread where required around your yard or garden with the applicator scoop provided, then simply water the area to activate. If you’re looking to murder Bermuda grass, try these other effective weed killers to do that job.
Pros
- Long-lasting formula.
- Easy to use.
- Covers 2,245 square feet.
- Great price.
- Highly rated.
Cons
- Not for use on lawns or vegetable gardens.
- Might need a heavy application in certain places.
Conclusion
Excellent addition to the already successful and popular line or Preen weed control products, this has received enough good reviews to merit giving it a go before any weeds can take hold. Tip – remember that any weeds that spring up after application will already have previously germinated.
Roundup Concentrate 365 Vegetation Killer
Check availability, reviews and price
Walmart.comThis is the first of our entries from weed killer experts Roundup, who certainly seem to be experiencing mixed-fortunes lately.
Their products continue to be highly successful at the jobs they’re purchased to do, but there’s a lot of furor around their active ingredient – glyphosate – which might not be available in certain areas depending on current legislation.
Love it or hate it, there’s no denying its potency. This version is their Max Control, 365 Vegetation Killer – which does exactly that, in concentrate form. It kills weeds and creates an invisible barrier in the soil, keeping your garden clear for up to 12 months.
This particular version is for driveways, patios, and along fence lines. For more similar products, check out this article on the best weedkillers for driveways.
Pros
- Very potent.
- Highly recommended.
- Rainproof in 30 minutes.
- Fast-acting.
Cons
- Toxic active ingredient.
- Banned in certain areas.
Conclusion
Roundup manufactures some of the most well-known and successful weed-killers in the world. They’re also likely to kill everything else – so keep it well clear of your desirable plants and vegetables – and take appropriate caution throughout the application.
Compare-N-Save Grass and Weed Killer
While Roundup might be the household name, they’re not the only manufacturer to use glyphosate in their products. This is a 2.5-gallon formula from Compare-N-Save, which is effectively the same stuff for a cheaper price for the quantity.
This contact herbicide can kill over 175 types of weeds and grasses and can make up to 210 gallons of spray solution when correctly mixed with water, which will cover a very generous 63,900 square feet.
Certainly, for the price, this is one of the best weed killers for large yards out there, and I mean really large yards.
You’ll see results in two to four days, it’s fully rainproof in two hours, and you can use it anywhere except lawns and vegetable gardens – or where you want desirable plants to thrive because this will kill anything.
Pros
- Very potent.
- Kills to the root.
- Excellent coverage.
- Great price.
- Highly rated.
Cons
- High concentration of glyphosate.
- Not as fast-acting as other formulas.
- Will destroy your lawn if it comes into contact with it.
Conclusion
Cover a lot of ground with this solution from Compare-N-Save, but you might have to wait a few days to see results, which isn’t ideal if patience isn’t one of your strong points. Still, at this price and potency – it’s well worth the wait.
Scotts Turf Builder Crabgrass Preventer
Let’s change direction a little now with a lawn-safe weed-killer that’s specially formulated to attack that unsightly invasive species – crabgrass. Plague of many-a-lawn, this nuisance weed can be a headache to get rid of.
Enter lawn care experts Scotts, with this turf building product that stops crabgrass in its tracks, simultaneously encouraging a healthy, green lawn in the spring. It will also keep other grassy and broadleaf weeds at bay, like chickweed and poa annua, and protect your patch all season with its pre-emergent formula.
And the turf builder continues to feed the lawn through winter (also ideal to use in the fall) so you can expect a fast green-up the following year.
Pros
- Easy to apply.
- Weather doesn’t affect performance.
- Name to trust.
- Very highly rated.
Cons
- Requires a spreader to apply.
- Not for use on dichondra or bentgrass lawns.
- Not suitable for general weed killing.
Conclusion
Probably one of the best weed control solutions for lawns, this is another excellent product from the folks over at Scotts and has garnered some outstanding reviews. But if you’re looking for alternative options for weed killing on your lawn, check out this article on how to get rid of lawn weeds without chemicals.
Quali-Pro Prodiamine 65 WDG Pre-Emergent Herbicide
Check availability, reviews and price
Next up we have this pre-emergent herbicide from Quali-Pro, their Prodiamine 65 WDG product. Get unwanted weeds and grasses under control before they even raise their ugly heads, with a large, five-pound bottle of liquid death.
Specifically formulated for the control of weeds in established turf grasses, nurseries, around trees and shrubs, and lawns, this is a professional-grade weed preventer (not killer) that will get the job done against a variety of nuisance weeds, and can be applied in either spring or fall for quality results.
Most effective against crabgrass, this is an excellent alternative to the Scotts Turf Builder – if you’re looking for something a little more potent.
Pros
- Commercial grade.
- Very generous coverage for the price.
- Highly rated.
Cons
- It’s a preventative formula – so it won’t kill already established weeds.
- Mixing the right quantity can be a challenge – especially for smaller areas.
Conclusion
A powerful, potent weed and grass controller that will likely last you several seasons, thanks to the quantity and coverage it provides. Try something different to the usual brand names, as this is quite possibly the best weed killer for big lawns there is.
Green Gobbler 20% Horticultural Vinegar Weed Killer
Check availability, reviews and price
Here we take a breather from the more toxic weed killers for large areas, with this giant five-gallon pail of one of my personal favorite products – the Green Gobbler.
Rather than use potentially carcinogenic chemicals, these guys instead opt to use an organic solution, made from a 20% vinegar formula that is four times stronger than the stuff you’d put on your salads.
Having been made from ethanol distilled from corn grain, it’s safe to use anywhere around your home and garden. It’s a non-selective weed-killer, which means you only apply it to unwanted vegetation, such is its ability to kill a variety of different floras on contact.
Best of all, it’s pet and human safe (applied as directed), so you can use it with peace of mind if you have four and/or little legs running around.
Pros
- Eco-friendly.
- Versatile use.
- No dilution required.
- Highly rated.
- Non-toxic.
- Certified by OMRI for organic use.
Cons
- It’s not cheap.
Conclusion
Probably the best organic weed killer available, this is ideal if you’re conscious of chemicals and you’d like to stay as green as possible. Still, bear in mind that it will kill desirable plants, too – so use with caution and as directed. And for more furry-friendly products, check out these pet safe weed killers.
Monterey Remuda Concentrated Herbicide
Here we have another herbicide with a high concentration of glyphosate at 41%. I’ve added this into the review because it offers excellent coverage, with one pint of the concentrated formula providing 320 gallons of product that will cover 320,000 square feet.
For use against weeds in non-planted areas, it’s most effective around trees, shrubs, and flowerbeds, in temperatures of 70 degrees and above. This systemic herbicide will kill vegetation right to the root and is intended as a post-emergent solution against already existing weeds.
Check out this article for more ways to rid your property of nettles.
Pros
- Trusted brand.
- Great coverage.
- Kills a large variety of weeds.
- Economical.
Cons
- Glyphosate.
- At 7-14 days, it’s not the fastest-acting weed killer on the market.
Conclusion
An alternative to other glyphosate brands, it’s not as quick, but it will still get the job done and you get a lot of product for the price. For most people, one application will be enough and this quantity should last a few seasons.
Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Concentrate
This Roundup super concentrate is regarded as one of the best all-round weed killers on the market – particularly for widespread nuisance vegetation over larger areas.
Best for use in tank sprayers, you can cover a lot of ground all over your yard or garden, from patios and walkways to flowerbeds, along fences and foundations, gravel areas, and for garden plot preparation and lawn replacement.
The 50% glyphosate active ingredient is merciless when it comes to killing anything on contact, and you’ll have wilting, yellowing weeds within two to four days. The product is absorbed through the leaves and travels all the way to the root for total annihilation.
Pros
- One of the most potent Roundup products.
- Highly rated.
- Rainproof in 30 minutes.
- Designed for large areas.
- Fast acting.
Cons
- High glyphosate concentration.
- Expensive.
Conclusion
One of Roundup’s best commercially available weed killers, for most residential uses over large areas, this is hard to beat. Just remember that it will terminate just about anything – so use with caution.
RM43 Glyphosate + Weed Preventer
Check availability, reviews and price
This total vegetation control is exactly that – a product that will attack and kill anything that grows, and keep you weed-free for up to one year.
Another product with a high glyphosate concentration (love it or hate it – it certainly works), this can treat an area of 43,243 square feet, making it an ideal solution for controlling weeds in large areas. As directed, you only apply to areas where no plant life is required – because it will destroy anything green.
Best used in a tank sprayer to cover more ground, the solution is easy to use and mix with water for effective weed killing and preventing results. Used by the professionals, this is easily one of the best and most effective weed killers available today.
Pros
- Prevents and kills.
- Excellent coverage.
- Very highly rated.
- Professional grade.
Cons
- The dreaded glyphosate.
- Pricey.
Conclusion
If you want something to kill weeds in a large area with no questions asked – then this is the product for you. The consistently high rating and reviews should tell you all you need to know.
How to Choose the Best Weed Killer for Large Areas
Below, you’ll find an informative buyer’s guide to help you choose the right product for you and your property.
Size of Area/Quantity
First, you’ll want to find out just how much area you need to cover, and then you can ascertain the quantity of the product you require. If you’re reading this page at all, it’s likely you need something that will cover larger spaces.
This is where concentrated weed killer products are king. Simply mix with the right amount of water for weed control over thousands of square feet.
Each weed killer is different though – so be sure to read the directions thoroughly in order to create the perfect concoction.
This might take some trial and error, too – as many users report that the given mixing instructions aren’t always the best depending on site and situation.
Be ready to adapt and create the right water to product ratio that will work for you.
Type of Area
When faced with so many options of weed killers, it might be overwhelming at first when it comes to choosing the right one.
But if you take a deep breath, and stop to check each product, you’ll discover that they all have different uses – and can be used in different areas.
So, as well as ascertaining just how large your weed-killing area needs to be, you also need to pay attention to the type.
Do you need to kill weeds on your lawn, among flower beds, around trees and shrubs, through the decking, along fences, in vegetable patches, on patios, driveways, and walkways…?
The list of places where weeds can spring up is seemingly endless, so too the list of products that will kill them.
Make sure you select the right weed-killer for the type of area you’re going to cover – it’s not one-size-fits-all, and using the wrong formula in the wrong area could have seriously negative results.
Emergence
Herbicides are available in a variety of forms and can be applied at three different times in the life-cycle of weeds and plant life.
- Preplant herbicides are designed to be used before planting desirable vegetation, preventing weeds before they have the chance to grow.
- Pre-emergent herbicides are used before the weeds germinate and can control them as they grow.
- Post-emergent herbicides are for treating weeds that are already established, for spot treating plants and killing them to the root.
Choosing the correct type will make your life much easier and give you the results you’re looking for.
Persistence and Selectivity
How long do you want the herbicide to keep working on your property, and what type of vegetation do you want it to attack?
A weed killer that keeps plants away for a long period of time is great if you want an area of your garden completely devoid of life – but useless if you want to cultivate desirable plants or vegetables.
Likewise, using a fast-acting weed killer that doesn’t last long in the soil will be ineffective at keeping weeds at bay through the season.
You should also consider if the herbicide is selective or non-selective.
Selective herbicides are designed to specifically destroy certain types of plant life, whereas non-selective will kill just about anything.
Active Ingredients
There are many compounds, formulas, and mixes that will attack and kill plant life. Some of them are also dangerous to humans and animals, others less so.
Keeping that in mind, it’s worth considering the main (active) ingredient in a weed killer – especially if you’re conscientious of where you’re going to be using it, and whether you have children or pets.
Glyphosate in particular has attracted a lot of media attention in recent years and is banned in some states and many countries around the world.
A broad-spectrum systemic herbicide and crop desiccant, it’s highly potent and effective at eliminating weeds, but the jury is out on how dangerous it is to humans.
That’s just one, high-profile example, but you should always take the time to consider what is in any weed killer you choose to purchase.
Application Method
Another often confusing factor about herbicides is just how they are applied. They come in a variety of forms and formulas, and the application instructions regularly lead people to scratch their heads.
Herbicides can be scattered on the ground in granule form, or they can be water-soluble granules and dissolved to make a potent concoction. They can be applied neatly in a spray bottle, or they can be diluted and dispensed from a tank, or attached to a hose and distributed that way.
The latter two application methods are more common for larger areas.
Make sure you understand how your chosen product is dispensed before purchasing – and that you have the necessary equipment to use it. Tank sprayers and granule spreaders are sold separately – and a good one can be expensive.
Check out the video below for advice on how to use a tank sprayer.
Brand Names
Do they matter? Some say yes, but when it comes to herbicides, it’s a case of six of one, half a dozen of the other that a brand-name product will perform any better than a budget version that has exactly the same ingredients.
Roundup is perhaps the most famous weed killer on the market, but you’ll find it’s not always the best, particularly if you want to stay away from harsh chemicals.
There are many more options out there, some branded, some not, all claiming to be effective at the job they’ve been designed to do.
Do your research, check reviews for similar weed-killer environments to yours, and go with your gut.
And if you’re still in doubt, try a few options and see which one works best for you.
Keep in mind that for larger areas, you might want to be looking at some of the best commercial weed killers, that will certainly do the job.
It’s definitely good to learn more about the available options as there are so many types of weed killers available on market.
Cost
When choosing the best weed killer for large overgrown areas, it’s important to take into consideration the cost of the product.
This is where you need to weigh up the value for money when it comes to quantity and longevity, and you’ll need to do a little math to figure out the best product to go for.
It’s best to strike a nice, cost-effective balance between how much you’re initially paying, the area it will cover, and how long it will last.
Summary
If you’re in any way unfamiliar with what’s available, the world of weed killing can be a daunting and complex environment.
That’s why taking a bit of time to examine each product can really help you focus on finding the best weed killer for large areas, and I hope this article has helped in some small way.
Personally, I prefer to stay away from the harsher chemicals, but I realize that might not always be possible – especially if you’ve got a lot of land and simply want to destroy everything as fast as possible.
To that end, I think the RM43 is hard to beat.
Let me know which weed killer you would choose and why.
Until next time, happy weed murdering to you all.