Lawn weeds are unwanted visitors who compete with your lawn for water, nutrients, and light, as well as providing a breeding ground for illnesses and pests. These troublesome invaders thrive alongside healthy plants in your garden, regardless of whether you have green fingers (the capacity to make anything grow).
It would be much easier to get rid of unwanted weeds if you used a weed spray and a sprayer. Continue reading to learn about the sprayers I recommend for around the house, as well as the best spray/solution for the weeds you have.
Types Of Lawn Sprayers
There are a few aspects to consider while selecting the ideal sprayer for your needs. Consider the size of the area you’ll be utilizing (whole lawn or garden), what you’ll be applying, and how often you’ll be using it.
Hose-End Sprayers
The hose-end sprayer is the most lightweight for little jobs. These are the cheapest sprayers available, but they will also cover the smallest amount of ground. Unless you have a limited area to treat and a garden hose hookup, I don’t recommend these for grass applications. However, because most will include measuring lines for easy filling, these are also easy to combine product in. The Andersons Refillable Multipurpose Hose-End Sprayers are one of my favorites because you get two in the package and may use one for herbicide and the other for insecticide.
Hand Held Lawn & Garden Sprayers
The convenient handheld sprayer is the most popular among homeowners. Perfect for applying product to gardens or eradicating weeds along fencelines, driveways, and borders, among other things… Typically, a hand pump will be used to build up pressure in the sprayer, or a battery-powered unit will provide a continual flow. Some will feature a shoulder support strap for ease carrying, while others will simply have a lock handle to carry around.
During the spring and summer, I normally fill my 2-gallon handheld with liquid weed killer and put it in the garage. For this, I recommend the Smith Contractor 2-Gallon Sprayer, which includes a standing base to hold it upright and in place.
Backpack Sprayers
A backpack sprayer is a good option for larger gardens or yards, or if you don’t want to carry about a handheld. They are normally a little more expensive than handhelds, but they are easier to use and carry more product, allowing you to finish the task without having to continually refilling and mixing stuff.
Pump-powered or battery-powered models are available, with capacities ranging from 3 to 5.3 gallons.
For usage around the yard, I use my Kimo battery-powered 3-gallon sprayer. It’s big enough for me to put everything I need on it, but not so huge that I wake up with back ache the next day.
Tow-Behind Sprayers
Now, for the larger lawns I maintain, I’ll utilize a tow-behind mower. These are most typically found in the 5-15 gallon range, with the big boys going up to 60 gallons. NorthStar tow-behind sprayers and Chapin tow-behind sprayers are my favorites, and they also have ATV mounted sprayers.
Here’s a quick rundown of my suggestions:
Top 5 Best Weed Killer Sprayers
1. Smith Contractor Sprayer for Weed Killers, Herbicides, and Insecticides
Smith Contractor Sprayer for Weed Killers, Herbicides, and Insecticides
The Smith Contractor weed, herbicide, and insecticide sprayer is great for lawns, but it can also be used for commercial cleaning and harsh chemicals. It’s composed of high-quality materials and comes with a commercial-grade cutoff and a comfortable grip, making it a pleasure to use for extended periods of time.
This two-gallon herbicide sprayer also includes a nickel-plated brass poppet for increased strength and precision, as well as an in-line filtering system. Furthermore, the sprayer’s 21-inch poly wand is equipped with Viton gaskets, which provide unrivaled chemical protection and can be replaced without the use of tools.
The pressure relief valve on the Smith Contractor sprayer is designed to relieve pressure before the pump is released, preventing herbicide from spraying all over you. The wand tip is protected from the weather by a special slot in the teardrop-shaped Smith Contractor sprayer.
A poly and brass nozzle for a steady stream to a fine mist, a large volume fan nozzle for a wide spray, and a foaming nozzle for superior weed killing results are all included in the kit for tremendous adaptability. A one-year guarantee against manufacturing defects is included with the Smith Contractor weed sprayer.
Pros
- 5 types of nozzles
- 2-gallon capacity
- In-line filtration system
- Commercial grade shutoff with a comfortable grip
- 21” poly wand with Viton gaskets
- Pressure relief valve
Cons
- Limited to 1 color option
2. ITISLL Garden Pump Sprayer
The ITISLL garden weed sprayer is available in two fantastic color combinations: white and red and white and black, as well as three different sizes: 1 gallon, 1.5 gallon, and 2 gallon.
Additionally, this multipurpose sprayer can be used for a variety of tasks such as housecleaning, pet bathing, and car washing, but it is not suitable for corrosive or acidic applications.
A high-quality brass nozzle is included with the ITISLL sprayer, which can be adjusted from direct injection to fine mist spray. A long 50-inch hose is attached to the 19-inch brass spray wand, allowing for easy spraying over longer distances and in difficult-to-reach areas.
It comes with an ergonomic handle and a locking trigger, allowing you to spray for an extended period of time without becoming fatigued. The trigger can be locked, allowing you to spray herbicide continuously for longer periods of time.
The ITISLL sprayer also has an onsite adjustable shoulder strap, which adds to its overall comfort factor while in use. It is made of premium-quality PE material and has a transparent container that allows you to see how much herbicide is left.
Aside from its high-quality construction, the ITISLL herbicide sprayer also includes a safety valve that automatically releases pressure when it exceeds 2.5 – 3 Bar. Anti-clogging filters, wear-resistant rings, and a one-year manufacturer warranty are among the other highlights of the ITISLL weed herbicide sprayer.
Pros
- 2 colors and 3 sizes available
- Adjustable brass nozzle and 50-inch hose
- Ergonomic handle and adjustable shoulder strap
- Lockable trigger and pressure release system
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Cannot be used for corrosive or acidic solutions
3. CLICIC Lawn and Garden Portable Sprayer
The CLICIC lawn and garden sprayer comes in three sizes: 1.3 gallon, 2 gallon, and 3 gallon, with a funnel opening on top for easy, mess-free filling. The CLICIC herbicide sprayer’s nozzle is curved, non-corrosive, leak-proof, and equipped with premium-quality O-rings.
It also has a sturdy design and comfortable grips, making it simple to use and reducing hand strain. It has an ergonomic pump handle for added comfort, as well as a sleek hose and spray for spraying herbicides in tight spots.
The pressure release protection valve system on the CLICIC herbicide sprayer is factory installed, and it automatically releases excess pressure to prevent container burst. A shoulder strap and a shut-off locking valve are also included in the package, allowing you to spray without having to carry the sprayer.
Simply press and pull the lock switch forward to activate the locking mechanism. To prevent overflow, the CLICIC herbicide sprayer’s bowl is five inches wide, and the nozzle can be adjusted between shower and water column spray.
Pros
- Wide bowl design
- Lockable handle for continuous operation
- Adjustable nozzle
- Can spray up to 16 feet
- Pressure release protection valve
Cons
- Quality of shoulder strap could be improved
4. YT25E Battery Sprayer
The YT25E Battery Sprayer is powered by a 12-volt lithium ion battery and has a lightweight footprint of only 6.5 lbs. When fully charged, the battery provides a 36-hour continuous spraying experience, making spreading herbicide across your lawn simple and painless.
It has industry-leading Viton seals, which are stronger, more durable, and have a longer service life than traditional rubber seals. Depending on the content being sprayed, the YT25E Battery Sprayer can spray up to 33 feet horizontally and 23 feet vertically.
The kit comes with a variety of high-quality nozzles, allowing you to spray according to your lawn’s needs. Each nozzle included with the YT25E Battery Sprayer has been thoroughly tested to ensure peak performance, allowing you to spray steam, mist, or fan efficiently and effectively.
The YT25E Battery Sprayer comes with a brass wand and an adjustable brass nozzle, as well as a powerful and continuous 30 PSI pressure that allows you to reach further and wider. It has a shoulder strap, which helps to relieve the strain on your hands when carrying a full sprayer around.
Pros
- Lightweight at 6.5 lbs
- Viton seals
- Variety of high grade nozzles
- Adjustable brass nozzle
- Shoulder strap
- 36-hour battery life
Cons
- Extra battery not included
5. Chapin 6-2000 Sprayer
A 20-inch stainless steel wand and a 48-inch reinforced clear PVC hose are included with the Chapin 6-2000 herbicide sprayer. It has an adjustable high-quality brass nozzle that can spray.4–.5 gallons per minute.
When sprayed, the herbicide has a horizontal range of 23 feet and a vertical range of 25 feet, making it an excellent choice for large lawns. It has a 4-gallon tank capacity and a 4-inch mouth opening for easy filling. It also includes a three-stage filtration system to keep the sprayer from becoming clogged.
The translucent poly tank on the Chapin 6-2000 sprayer allows you to see when it needs to be refilled. This sprayer comes with a gauge on the shutoff assembly, so you can check the pressure in real time. It also includes a CF valve for spraying consistency.
The Chapin 6-2000 sprayer’s filter basket prevents dirt and debris from accumulating and is simple to assemble and clean. It has padded shoulder straps so you can spray herbicide without breaking a sweat.
Pros
- 20-inch wand and 48-inch PVC hose
- 5-inch wide mouth opening
- Adjustable brass nozzle
- Shut off system with pressure gauge
- 4-gallon capacity
Cons
- Does not come with wheels to move it around
When To Use Your Sprayers – Spraying Schedule
Make the most of your sprayer all year long by using it for pest control, fertilization, and disease control. It’s a good idea to have several sprayers on hand for different applications, such as herbicides and insecticides.
Early Spring (Feb-March)
This is the ideal time to purchase a new sprayer or clean out one from the previous season. Use this time to apply a weed preventative, begin pest control, and address any lawn diseases that may have developed over the winter. However, only do this if the temperature of your lawn is above 55 degrees.
Spring (March-June)
Now is the time to apply a weed pre-emergent to your lawns if you haven’t already. You can use your sprayer to apply fertilizers and other nutrient boosters to your garden.
Summer (July-Sept)
To keep bugs at bay, spray insecticide on shrubs and plants. Mosquitos and other insects can also be kept at bay by spraying your lawn. Spray any stray weeds that appear. Continue to spray your garden with beneficial nutrients.
Fall (Oct-Nov)
It’s a good time to spray your foundation to keep crawling insects like lawn spiders out of your home because they won’t cross the barrier you’ve put up. Apply a 2′′ line of insecticide around the perimeter of the house.
Lawn Weed Herbicide Spray Buying Guide
The variety of spray-on herbicides available at local garden centers and home improvement stores can make it difficult to choose the right one for your lawn. To make the best decision, you’ll need to get “up close and personal” with your lawn’s weeds and answer a few key questions.
What kind of weeds do you have in your lawn?
The first and most important step is to choose a herbicide that is specifically formulated to kill the weeds in your lawn. Begin by examining the unwanted pests to determine the type of weed, such as whether they are annual weeds like crabgrass, seasonal weeds like dandelions, or difficult-to-control weeds like nutsedge.
5 trusted websites that can help you identify weeds:
- 1. Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
- 2. National Gardening Association
- 3. Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station
- 4. Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide
- 5. Weed Science Society of America
- 6. CrabgrassLawn Weed Directory
Can You Spray Weed Killer On Wet Grass?
If you’re using a liquid weed killer, it’s best not to apply it to wet grass because it will dilute the killing agent’s effectiveness. You should wait 1-3 hours before watering in a liquid product to get the full benefit of it attacking the plant.
If you’re using a granular product, it’s usually fine to put it down on wet grass because you’ll need to water it in to activate it.
Is your goal to prevent weeds from growing or eliminate those already growing?
Before deciding whether you want to prevent or eliminate weeds, familiarize yourself with the various types of herbicides.
Post-Emergent Herbicides – These herbicides are among the most widely used for weed control, and are designed to prevent weeds that have already emerged and begun to grow. When sprayed on weed plants, they kill them by penetrating the entire plant system, all the way down to the roots.
However, most post-emergent herbicides are “nonselective,” which means they can harm both weeds and desirable plants in your lawn, and should therefore be used with caution.
Although post-emergent herbicides are ideal for use over patios, driveways, and walkways, you wouldn’t want to use a hose-end sprayer to spray a nonselective herbicide across a prized flowerbed or a vegetable garden. You can, however, use a precise spray to target only the weeds that are invading these valuable areas.
Pre-emergence Herbicides – As the name implies, pre-emergence herbicides prevent weeds from emerging in your lawn when sprayed. The chemicals in pre-emergence herbicides stop the growth of new root cells in baby weed plants, rather than affecting germination.
Because established plants already have a developed, healthy, and hearty root system, these pre-emergence herbicide chemicals have no effect on them. Water is required to activate pre-emergence herbicides and direct the chemicals down to the root system of newly sprouted weeds.
Pre-emergence herbicides, particularly crabgrass, can help control and eliminate a variety of weeds in your lawn. If you have weeds in specific areas of your lawn every year, spraying a pre-emergence herbicide can help you avoid them in the future.
What amount of liquid herbicide will you require?
This is entirely dependent on the size of the area, but for smaller areas, a ready-to-use herbicide that does not require diluting with water works best. If you want to control weeds that have spread across a larger area, you should use a more concentrated product.
What exactly is a surfactant, and how does it function?
Surfactants are widely regarded as one of the chemical industry’s most versatile products. The term “surfactant” comes from the words “surface active agent,” and it’s used in everything from agriculture to household detergents.
Surfactants are used as a wetting agent in herbicides to increase the penetration and overall effectiveness of the herbicide. Some herbicides come with a surfactant already added, while others may require you to add surfactant to boost their activity.
When is the best time to use weed killers in spray form?
Because not all herbicides are created equal, they must be applied at different times of the day to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Systemic lawn herbicides for broadleaf weeds are most effective when temperatures are between 70 and 90 degrees, but they are less effective when temperatures are too low.
In the summer, avoid applying herbicides near midday or early afternoon, as the herbicides may quickly dry out the leaves, resulting in less herbicide absorption. Pre-emergence herbicides, on the other hand, can be applied at any time of day because they work at the soil level to prevent weed growth.
Liquid weed killers should be used with caution.
Weed plants are a natural part of the landscape, but they can be disastrous for many lawns. Herbicides can be an effective weed control solution when used correctly and safely. A careless approach to weed control, on the other hand, can cause damage to desirable plants as well as harm to you and others.
- Always read the label – Just like with any other chemical-based product, it’s critical to read and understand the label on the herbicide container before using it. Although some labels may be difficult to read due to their length or fine print, you should always read the entire label, whether on the container or on the manufacturer’s website.
- Wear protective equipment – even if you’re using an organic herbicide, it’s a good idea to wear gloves and safety glasses.
- Recognize “signal words” – the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires these words to warn users about herbicide toxicity levels. For example, the word “caution” indicates that the herbicide is slightly toxic or non-toxic, and thus may cause acute illness if inhaled, swallowed, or skin contact is made.
Herbicides labeled “danger” or “poison” should be handled with extreme caution, as they can cause serious injury or death in the worst-case scenario. And some herbicides may contain more than one signal word, indicating that they may have different effects on the body depending on how they are applied to the skin, inhaled, or swallowed.
Conclusion:
Although not all undesirable plants are weeds, some weeds can become invasive and problematic in your lawn. While any of the herbicides on this list will effectively and efficiently control weeds, there are other things you can do to speed up the process and permanently eliminate weeds.
To begin, spread mulch over the weeds to block sunlight from reaching the area and prevent them from germinating. Manually pulling weeds, including their roots, is another excellent weed control option. You can also eat young and tender weeds like purslane, amaranth, and lamb’s quarters if you’re hungry.
