Best Dandelion Killer

When you were younger, seeing the happy yellow dandelions in your yard probably made you very happy. But, now that you’re grown up, seeing these dandelions ruin your beautiful green yard most likely fills you with dread. They can be difficult to get rid of, and this is why you need the best dandelion killer available on the market. 

They’ll take care of your problem and leave you with a lush and green yard you can’t wait to enjoy all summer long. Compare our top 10 picks for the best dandelion killer below, and take a look at our useful buying information to see what criteria matters when it comes to narrowing down your choices. 

1. Espoma Weed Preventer Plus – Top Pick

One way to safely and effectively keep your lawn lush and green without those pesky weeds and dandelions is to get them before they emerge. You can do this using corn gluten meal, and this dandelion killer is one of the most common brands on the current market. It’ll work effectively on most broadleaf weed varieties. You can use it in conjunction with a weeding tool to get a picture-perfect lawn. It’s important to note that this product won’t kill any weeds that already exist, and you have to pull those out by the roots to get rid of them. 

This dandelion killer can also protect your hard against crabgrass. The corn gluten in this product will break down to turn into a fertilizer with a nitrogen-rich content, so it’ll feed both your lawn and any existing weeds. You should apply this product once in the spring and once in the fall for the best results. You should only use it on established lawns as it can burn new seedlings. Children and pets can play on the lawn as soon as you apply it because it doesn’t use chemicals in the content. 

Benefits:

• Uses corn gluten meal
• Will get rid of most broadleaf weeds
• Protects against crabgrass 
• Apply twice a year 
• Safe around kids and pets 
• Easy to use 
• Turns into a rich fertilizer 

Drawbacks:

• Won’t work on sprouted weeds

2. Scotts 26003 Turf Builder – Step-Up Pick

You can use this dandelion to reduce the appearance of new weeds, kill dandelions, and fertilize the lawn all in one go. This is a granular broadleaf weed killer, and it also has crabgrass preventer mixed into the formula to stop this pesky weed from spreading across your lawn for four months after the initial application. It also doubles as a nitrogen-rich fertilizer that can feed the grass to keep it lush and healthy with a very strong root system. Also, when you order it, you’ll get a larger 20-pound bag that can easily cover up to 4,000-square feet of lawn. 

You can safely use this dandelion killer on perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, and tall fescue without damaging it. It might not be best to apply it to any yard that has creeping grasses like centipede grass or St. Augustine. You should apply it in a push-style broadcast spreader early in the summer or late in the spring months. Wait six to eight weeks after you apply it to reapply it for the best results. It has both pre and post-emergent weed control in the formula, and it’ll actively kill any current weeds if you apply it correctly. 

Benefits:

• Fertilizes, kills weeds, and stops new weed growth 
• Crabgrass preventer mixed in
• 20-pound bag per order 
• Covers 4,000-square feet 
• Works on pre and post-emergent weeds 
• Apply every six to eight weeks 
• Easy to apply 

Drawbacks:

• Can’t use it on creeping-style grasses

3. Southern Ag Lawn Weed Killer – Mid-End Budget Pick

If you’re on a tighter budget and you want a more generic broadleaf weed killer herbicide, try this product from Southern Ag. The main ingredient in the formula is Glyphosate, and this kills the toughest weeds. You do have to be careful when you apply it around other plants as it is potent enough to damage all of them or kill them on contact. You should apply it outside when the temperatures range between 70 and 80°F for the best results. If you live in a colder climate, you might have to reapply it. 

The best time to apply this dandelion killer is during the summer or spring months when the dandelions are starting to aggressively grow. After you apply it, the weeds will start to wilt and turn brown within two or three days. You can mix it at a ratio of one gallon of water with a few drops of liquid dish soap and 1.5 to 2-ounces of the concentrated weed killer. Apply it to the roots for the best results, and it has a shelf life of five years. 

Benefits:

• Very concentrated formula 
• Cost-effective 
• Shelf life of five years 
• Works better in warmer climates 
• Easy to apply 
• Can make it as strong as you like
• Easy-carry handle 

Drawbacks:

• Have to mix it up before use

4. Ortho Weed B Gon – Bargain Budget Pick

If you’re someone who is after an effective dandelion killer that not only takes care of them but also over 250 other weeds, this is a good product to try. As a bonus, it won’t break your budget either. It’s very effective when it comes to killing clover, dandelions, and other types of broadleaf weeds. You get a ready-spray formula that has a fast action formula on it, and it will dry within an hour of applying it to start killing the weeds down to the root system to make sure they stay gone. 

You can safely use this dandelion killer on a host of different grasses without causing any damage, including Bahia grass, St. Augustine, Bluegrass, Bermuda grass, Centipede grass, Buffalo grass, Ryegrass, Fescue, and Zoysia. It’s a very potent and concentrated formula that is wonderful for bigger yards. You should see the dandelions starting to dry out and wilt within three hours of applying it. For other weeds, you can see results in as little as two to three weeks. It works well as a spot treatment, and you get a battery-operated sprayer with a wand to make it easy to apply. 

Benefits:

• Kills over 250 weeds 
• Ready-spray formula 
• Safe for a range of grass types 
• Concentrated formula is very potent
• Can start showing visible results in a few hours
• Comes with a battery-operated sprayer 
• Great for spot treatments 

Drawbacks:

• Have to apply right to the roots

5. Preen Garden Weed Preventer – Best For Weed Prevention 

Anyone who has a bigger area with a thick layer of mulch on it but still gets pesky weeds popping through, this dandelion killer is for you. You’ll get a granulated formula that can stop a large variety of weeds and plants from coming up where you put it over your mulch. You can even use it in vegetable gardens, and it has claims to be safe for use with over 200 different types of plants, and this includes edibles and ornamentals. However, we recommend only using it in areas where you don’t want things to grow. 

To use this strong dandelion killer, you’ll need to apply the formula on top of your mulch. Once you get it spread out, water it so it sinks into the soil below. The formula will bond with your soil’s surface and prevent weeds from growing roots for up to three months after you apply it. If you want to keep dandelions away from established plants or trying to prevent your mulched areas from getting overrun with weeds, we encourage you to try this pick. 

Benefits:

• Works well over mulch 
• Safe to use around 200 plant types 
• Granular formula 
• Easy to water into the mulch 
• Comes in a 22-pound bucket
• Covers over 3,000-square feet 
• Can apply it anytime 

Drawbacks:

• Easy to spill 

6. BND Beater Lawn Weed Killer – Best For Broadleaf Weeds

This is arguably one of the best dandelion kills available on the current market, and it can take out the dandelions in your yard without any hassle. It can also take out a huge range of other weeds, and you can use it on weeds that are harder to kill, like poison oak and poison ivy. It’s important to note that this is a post-emergent spray, and  you’ll have to reapply it when you notice new weeds coming up. With a single easy step, this product can get rid of clover, dandelion, bedstraw, ground ivy, gumweed, aster, oxalis, nettle, chickweed, ragweed, and more. 

This dandelion killer is safe to use on grass without worrying about damaging or killing it. You can notice the weeds starting to die within hours of applying it, and the plant death can take between one and two weeks. This product is also rain and water-proof within hours, so it won’t wash away as you water your lawn. You should give it a few hours to dry before it rains to ensure it sticks. You can mix it with water before applying it with a knapsack, compression, or backpack sprayer. It’ll cover up to 8,000-square feet. 

Benefits:

• Kills weeds but spares grass 
• Covers up to 8,000 square feet
• Mixes with water 
• Weeds will start to die within hours
• Spray application is quick 
• Rain and water-proof within hours 
• Kills to the root

Drawbacks:

• Can take two weeks to kill the weeds

7. Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer – Best For Applying in Pavement Cracks

If you’re tired of trying to remember if your dandelion killer is designed to kill weeds before or after they emerge in your lawn, this product can help. Also, if you’re someone who wants to clear an area out on your lawn that isn’t picky about grasses, weeds, or other plants, this can help. This product works well for applying it in cracks in your sidewalks, driveways, and around your patio. However, it does stay in your soil for a very long time after you apply it, and this can prevent anything from growing for up to a year. 

This dandelion killer can work to get rid of weeds to the root, and you can start to see results in as few as three hours after you apply it. As long as it stays dry for 15 minutes after you apply it, this product won’t wash away. This is a concentrated mix that you’ll have to dilute with water and load into a tank sprayer to cover your chosen area. If you don’t get the results you expect, the company will refund your purchase price. You can choose from four sizes and four styles when you pick it out. 

Benefits:

• Will kill weeds, plants, and grass
• Works for up to a year
• Waterproof in 15 minutes of application 
• Concentrated to make it last longer 
• Will start to kill weeds in three hours 
• Easy to mix
• Sprays on quickly 

Drawbacks:

• Will kill anything it touches, including flowers 

8. Ortho GroundClear Vegetation Killer – Best For Smaller Yards

If you’re trying to get rid of weeds, dandelions, and any other vegetation in the area with one application, Ortho GroundClear is a good pick. You can choose from a few sizes when you order this product to ensure you have enough for your chosen area, ranging from 32-ounces up to two gallons. Once you apply it, this product can prevent weeds from growing for up to a full year. It’s a very fast-acting concentrate that will start to get rid of the weeds in as little as three hours after the initial application. 

This dandelion killer works very well on patios, driveways, and gravel areas where it can be difficult to manually weed. You also don’t need to use a huge amount for it to work well. For example, you can mix 24-ounces of the concentrated solution into a gallon of water and cover up to 300-square feet. When you use it as the instructions say, you will kill the weed all of the way to the root to prevent them from coming back. You can apply it with a tank sprayer along curbs or fences, to sidewalks, gravel driveways, in rock and desert landscapes, under decks, and more. 

Benefits:

• Several sizes available 
• Easy to mix 
• 24-ounces covers up to 300-square feet 
• Apply to large areas quickly 
• Works well for gravel spaces 
• Kills any and all vegetation 
• Prevents regrowth for a year 

Drawbacks:

• Finicky application to get good results

9. BioAdvanced Season Long Weed Control – Best For Versatile Use

This dandelion killer allows for easy and quick weed killing without any measuring or mixing because it comes in a compact 29-ounce bottle that is ready to go as soon as you get it. The formula will kill any weeds on contact, and it can stop any new weeds from coming up around your raised flower beds for six months from the initial application. The bottle will quickly attach to a standard garden hose connection, and it features a one-touch spraying mechanism that makes it easy to adjust the pattern and pressure. 

You should apply this dandelion product twice a year to get the best results, optimally during the spring and fall months when the temperatures range between 50°F and 90°F. This product won’t harm your lawn when you apply it, and this includes more sensitive grass varieties like Bermuda grass, zoysia, and St. Augustine. It’ll be rainproof within an hour of applying it so it won’t wash right away. It’s very easy to apply to larger lawns, and it’ll be effective for keeping dozens of types of weeds at bay. 

Benefits:

• Compact 29-ounce bottle 
• Kills on contact 
• Rainproof within an hour of application 
• One-touch spray mechanism
• Attaches to a standard garden hose 
• Won’t harm lawns, including more sensitive grass varieties 
• Works on dozens of weeds 

Drawbacks:

• Have to apply it twice a year 

10. Compare-N-Save Broadleaf Weed Killer – Best For Larger Yards

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The final dandelion killer on the list is the Compare-N-Save budget brand. You get a one-quart jug of highly concentrated liquid that can quickly and easily treat up to 43,000-square feet of yard. It will kill dandelions and a range of other broadleaf weeds, and it’ll do it without burning the grass around it. This product excels when you apply it in the spring when dandelions and broadleaf weeds are tender and small. You should apply it and wait at least a full 30 days before applying it again, and you can apply it a maximum of twice each year. 

This is a selective-style herbicide, and this dandelion killer can work on most lawns. However, you should avoid using it on creeping grasses like centipede grass, St. Augustine, and bentgrass lawns because it can be too potent for it. You should mix it with water before using it, and it’s effective at controlling over 150 weeds. You can also use it to control existing brush and weeds, as well as ones that haven’t sprouted yet. 

Benefits:

• Applies quickly
• Selective herbicide formula 
• Kills and controls over 150 weeds 
• Covers up to 43,000-square feet
• Easy to dilute and mix
• Long shelf life 
• Reputable brand 

Drawbacks:

• Can’t use on creeping-style grasses

Best Dandelion Killer – Buyer’s Guide

Dandelions are a broadleaf weed, and this is why all of the best dandelion killers target these weeds specifically. They’re perennial weeds, and they’re able to easily grow in almost any soil type due to their thick taproot. This makes it especially frustrating to try and get rid of them. Unless your weed killer goes after the entire taproot, the dandelion will regrow in the same spot. This can happen in a few weeks, or the dandelion can stay hidden for up to a year before springing back up. 

The dandelion killer will target not only the plant, but it’ll go deep into the ground to get rid of the dandelion’s taproot. It’s a good idea to try and remove as many dandelions as possible by hand, but the dandelion killer will help you get rid of really stubborn ones that you miss. 

As dandelions go through their growth cycle, they get scraggly before turning into tall weeds with white heads that blow away in the breeze. The end result is tall weed sticking up from your lawn. 

Types of Dandelion Killers

There are four main categories when it comes to dandelion killers. Each category can work well for your needs, but some work better for large dandelion infestations. The four main types are: 

• Broad Spectrum – If you have somewhere in your yard where you want to take out both the weeds and the grass, a broad spectrum formula is the most typical dandelion killer available. It’ll kill anything green that it lands on, including plants, shrubs, grass, weeds, vegetables, and flowers. 
• Selective – Selective herbicides are the ones that are most popular in the dandelion killer family. They target broadleaf weeds while leaving the grass alone. You do want to be careful because some will kill southern grass species, and you shouldn’t use it around edibles. 
• Organic – Organic herbicides are a good choice for low-level dandelion infestations. They’re not as powerful as chemical-based herbicides, and this can limit their ability to work. However, they’re generally safe for use around your children or pets. 
• Chemical – The final category for the best dandelion killers is chemical herbicides. They work very well, but they can irritate your skin or eyes if you happen to splash it on you. Also, they can be toxic if your family or pets come into contact with them, but they work great for overrun yards due to their potency.

Broad-range applications of the dandelion killer are popular on commercial farms where they grow crops to sell for public consumption. Since the fields are huge, they need a herbicide that will cover them all very quickly. 

Granular or Spray

The best dandelion killers come in two broad formats. You can get a liquid form that you turn into a yard spray, or you can get a granular one that you sprinkle over your lawn. Again, both forms work well. It depends on how much time you want to put into applying it and your yard size. Most granular herbicides form a patchwork over the top of the soil that prevents weeds from coming through, but they won’t do much for existing weeds. They can also give your lawn a nutrient boost. Sprays are an easy way to cover a broad area, and they take out existing weeds. However, they can burn any ornamental or vegetable plants they land on. 

Buying Considerations

Once you decide on the type of herbicide you want, you can narrow down the dandelion killer to suit your needs by using our buying considerations. We’ll narrow down everything you need to know to pick out the herbicide that is going to do the job as quickly and efficiently as possible to give you a green, lush, weed-free lawn. 

Container Size

The volume of your container will determine how much product you get. The bigger the container you buy, the better price point you typically get. So, you have to think about your application needs and your yard size when you shop. If you apply it twice, does it make sense to go with the larger containers? You’ll pay more, but it’ll stop you from having to go back and buy a second one. 

Dosage

How much of the dandelion killer do you need to kill the weeds off to the root? A lot of the time, you’ll have to mix the herbicide with water using a hose and spray it over your yard. This can potentially make your product cover a larger area, but it can also mean that you end up with a diluted formula. If this happens, it’s not as potent and some weeds can make it through. Cheaper options usually make you use a higher dose per application. 

It’s essential that you get the correct dosage when you use the best dandelion killer because you don’t want to burn your grass. You also want it to be potent enough to kill the weeds. 

Waterproofing

One neat thing about weed killer is that they have waterproofing capabilities. Usually a few hours after you spray or drop them, they form a waterproof layer. This layer prevents your weed killer from washing away when you water your yard or if you get a heavy rainfall. In turn, you’ll get a gorgeous lawn. You want to check and see if your choice offers waterproofing. If it does, see how long it takes it to form. It can be anywhere from one to eight hours after the initial application. 

Price

The price will play a role in which dandelion killer you pick out, and there is a broad price range. Some start at just over $10 while others go up to the $50 range. Ideally, you’ll set a budget before you start to shop. This way, you can narrow down your options right away and it won’t seem so overwhelming to you. Remember that the cheaper options usually require that you use more to cover an area than the more expensive options will. This may not always be the case, but it’ll ring true for the majority of the time. 

Temperature Requirements 

Some of the weed killers don’t work well unless you apply them during a specific temperature range. If one requires cooler temperatures for application and you decide to treat your grass when it’s hot, it may not work. The same goes for any herbicide that has a warmer temperature requirement. The higher your temperature threshold is, the better off you’ll be with your product. 

If you use your best dandelion killer correctly, you’ll be able to get rid of dandelions effectively and end up with a green and gorgeous lawn that you can’t wait to spend time in. 

Which of our list of the best dandelion killers sounds like it’ll work best for your yard? Do you have a favorite? If you’re going to buy one, we invite you to compare our products and use the best dandelion killer buying guide to narrow down your choices. If you pick correctly, you could end up with a gorgeous, green, and lush lawn all summer long.