Weeds are more than just an eyesore, these invasive plants can wreak havoc on your lush lawn. By aggressively competing for nutrients, moisture, and space, weeds deprive your grass of essentials for healthy growth. Some aggressive varieties like crabgrass and nutsedge even release toxic compounds that prevent surrounding plants from growing.
The best defense to get rid of weeds is by using a pre-emergent herbicide. These specialized weed preventers create an invisible barrier that stops seeds from germinating in the first place.
In 2024, innovative new pre-emergent formulas offer longer residual control, lower environmental impact, and incredible convenience to help you get your lawn back.
From ultra-low-dose granular solutions to plant-safe liquid options, this guide covers seven of the top pre-emergent weed killers to preserve your picture-perfect lawn all season long.
#1 Quali-Pro Prodiamine 65 WDG
Source : amazon.com
As a homeowner, preventing weeds before they even sprout is the ultimate lawn care strategy. Quali-Pro’s Prodiamine 65 WDG delivers on this front with its pre-emergent control of weeds. This has been rated as one of the best pre-emergent weed killers by numerous websites and customers alike for years.
The primary active ingredient is 65% prodiamine, which means you can apply this product in either spring or fall for season-long crabgrass prevention. The yellow granular formula is easy to see and spreads evenly. It’s also an EPA-registered product and an excellent tank mixing partner for fertilizers or iron supplements. One of its standout qualities is the great value it provides compared to other pre-emergent herbicides on the market. For convenient application, it’s available in 5-pound bottles.
#2 The Andersons Barricade Professional-Grade Granular Pre-Emergent Weed Control
Source : amazon.com
The next pre-emergent weed killer on our list comes from The Andersons, an industry leader in lawn care solutions. Their Barricade Professional-Grade Granular Pre-Emergent Weed Control product offers homeowners a cost-effective solution for preventing over 30 types of weeds.
Containing 0.48% prodiamine as the active ingredient, this granular formula can be applied to lawns and landscape beds. Barricade provides excellent defense against stubborn weeds like crabgrass, goosegrass, foxtail, lambsquarter, henbit, and more before they are able to emerge.
What sets Barricade apart is The Andersons’ patented Dispersible Granular (DG) Technology. Upon contact with water, each granule disperses into thousands of microparticles for superior distribution and coverage. However, the granules must be activated by at least 0.05 inches of water after application. When used as directed, this professional-grade pre-emergent weed killer creates an effective weed prevention barrier to keep your lawn pristine all season long.
#3 Scotts Turf Builder Halts Crabgrass Preventer with Lawn Food
Source : amazon.com
The Scotts Turf Builder Halts Crabgrass Preventer is one of the best pre-emergent weed killers around if you are looking for one that also provides fertilization.
This lawn care product comes with Lawn Food, which provides a dual-action formula to keep your lawn thick, green, and weed-free. This pre-emergent herbicide prevents weeds such as crabgrass, barnyard grass, foxtail, and oxalis from germinating. At the same time, it delivers a nutrient boost to feed your grass and promote a lush, vibrant green lawn after winter dormancy.
If you want optimal results, you should regularly apply this weed killer to a dry lawn in early spring. The best time will be before the third or fourth mowing when temperatures are still below 80°F.
Another advantage is its durability. This product does not get affected by weather elements such as rain or snow.
#4 Snapshot 2.5 TG Pre-Emergent Herbicide
In several states, especially Tennessee or Mississippi, several weeds can attack a newly established lawn. Our next product, the Snapshot 2.5TG Pre-Emergent Herbicide is a powerful yet long-lasting solution that provides you with up to 6 to 8 months of continuous weed prevention against over 125 types of weeds and annual grasses.
The best part? You can apply this pre-emergent weed killer directly over the top of more than 635 plants without worrying about spraying around individual plants. Just apply this granular pre-emergent herbicide once and enjoy weed-free beds for the entire growing season.
What’s also great is that you not only can apply this product in early spring, but also late summer and early fall.
#5 Preen Extended Control Weed Preventer
Source : preen.com
This pre-emergent weed killer for trees and shrubs comes from Preen, with the company guaranteeing that with just one application, you can block the growth of new harmful weeds for up to 6 months.
Preen is labeled for use around over 600 plants, but can’t be directly used on lawns. It covers the likes of perennials, shrubs, and trees, but should not be used on vegetable gardens or anything growing food. Customers love that this product comes with a convenient flip-top applicator cap, allowing for quick and even distribution of the granules.
When used properly, Preen Extended Control Weed Preventer provides a full season of weed prevention with very little effort on your part. For smaller areas, the 5-pound bottle easily covers up to 800 square feet.
#6 Spectracide Weed Stop
Source : amazon.com
Spectracide Weed Stop for lawns is a powerful pre-emergent herbicide that tackles over 200 types of weeds including crabgrass. You can apply this product in spring through fall whenever weeds are actively growing, and with the compact 10.8 lb bag size, you can treat up to 3,000 square feet of lawn area.
For the best results, you can apply Spectracide Weed Stop when your grass is damp from morning dew or rainfall. Then, you won’t have to water or disturb the treated area for 24 hours afterward to allow proper absorption.
With this pre-emergent herbicide, you can effectively prevent weeds from taking over while still enjoying a lush, healthy lawn when you follow the manufacturer’s directions diligently.
#7 Specticle G Granular Pre-Emergent Herbicide
To end our list, we have to mention that Specticle G Granular Pre-Emergent Weed Killer. You get up to 6 months of prevention against over 90 types of weeds from just one application. It’s a product that can also be safely applied around ornamental plants and on mulched areas without staining or harsh odors.
What truly sets this pre-emergent product apart is its superior effectiveness while using up to 40 times less active ingredients compared to the current standards.
Specticle G’s convenient granular formulation makes application a breeze. With this level of powerful, extended control from an environmentally smart product, you have one of the most effective weed-preventing tools at your disposal.
Hire The Best Lawn Care Experts In Memphis!
Selecting the right pre-emergent weed killer is crucial for protecting your lawn’s health and appearance all season long. However, it’s important to apply the product using the right timing and techniques in order to achieve optimal results. From understanding your lawn’s specific weed issues to ensuring even coverage, effective weed prevention sometimes requires professional expertise.
That’s where the professionals at Jamison Pest and Lawn can help. We offer the best pre-emergent weed control services in Memphis. Contact us today at (901) 452-1505 to let our experts take care of your lawn and provide you with peace of mind.
