Everyone has a love-hate relationship with the dandelion. Yay, they’re pretty to look at and some even consider them to be a weed with a personality. However, their white head and yellow-orange ball of seeds are good indicators of an invasive plant that causes a lot of problems in our yards.
Dandelions grow quickly, and they can take over your lawn, which can lead to measly growth of grass. They also create a home for pests in which they thrive.
You may not be able to get rid of the dandelion entirely, but there are ways to control the spread of these weeds. One of the ways is to treat the dandelions that are currently visible with a dandelion killer. There are plenty of different methods out there, but we’ll go over the pros and cons of three of the best treatments for dandelions.
For a detailed overview of each of these treatments, continue reading to learn about the best dandelion killers currently available.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate | Best Overall |  |
| Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer | Budget Pick |  |
| Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed & Grass Killer | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate
Pros:
- Very effective
- Easy to use
- Great for sensitive areas
- Doesn’t leave an unpleasant smell
Cons:
- Has an “earthy smell”
- Leaves drips
- Expensive
2. PBI/Gordon 652400 Speed Zone Lawn Weed Killer
Pros:
- Excellent at eliminating dandelions
- Sprays a wide area
Long before there were paintball games, there was croquet. It originated in France in the late 15th century, and became all the rage in England during the 1800s. Eighteen holes were set up at a local asylum, with each hole representing a sin. There were holes for lust, pride, greed, etc. The sport fell off in popularity in England in the mid-1800s and did not catch on again until the last decade of the 20th century.
Croquet is played by two to four players, using mallets to hit the ball through the wickets. If players don’t hit the ball through the wickets in an attempt to knock their opponents ball off of the playing field, they are subject to the following penalties:
- Interference: The player who interfered is out.
- Off the end: The player who shot the ball off of the playing field is out.
- Ball through the side wicket: The player who shot the ball through the side wicket loses a stroke.
- Player ball behind the tape: The player whose ball is behind the tape loses a stroke.
- Ball knocked off the table: The player whose ball was knocked off the table loses three strokes.
3. Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer
Pros:
- Natural and organic ingredients
- Kills dandelion roots, not just the above ground leaves
- One application for visible results
- Contains no petroleum, no salt, no surfactants, no phosphates, and no harsh chemicals
- Durable metal sprayer
- Easy to use
- Money back guarantee
- Inexpensive
- Highly rated
- Available to purchase internationally
Cons:
- Cannot be shipped to Hawaii, Alaska, or Canada
- Shipping cost for international customers
- Not effective on salad greens
- Must be sprayed thoroughly
(4 Liters)
This vinegar-based weed killer has a variety of applications, from grass to dandelions. It’s actually designed to kill weeds faster and more effectively than those weed killers you can buy at your local store. That’s because it’s actually made using powerful orthophenyl phenol. By comparison, a weed killer from a traditional store would only contain 1% of the same ingredients.
4. Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed & Grass Killer
Pros:
- Safe for children and pets
- Non-caustic
- Naturally derived
- Triggers and prevents spreading
- Controls and kills multiple types of weeds
- Kills through contact, so there’s no soil contamination
Cons:
- May not kill perennial weeds very quickly
- Purchasing multiple bottles is recommended for a larger area and multiple types of weeds
This natural weed killer comes in a plastic bottle with a trigger to enable the no mess application. Its effectiveness is due to a unique combination of two environmentally friendly ingredients, derived from pine oil precursors.
Here are some other considerations for choosing the right killer for your dandelions:
- Is it toxic to pets and children?
- Will it damage your grass?
- Does it get rid of ALL kinds of weeds, or just one or two?
- Does it also kill your flowers, vines, etc.?
5. Ortho Weed B Gon Weed Killer
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Fast-acting formula
- Leaves the grass green
- Works on all weeds
Aside from being pretty and pleasing to look at, most dandelions are poisonous to humans and pets. They cause stomach upset in humans, while pets are at risk of liver damage from ingesting the yellow flowers. It’s best to get rid of dandelions as soon as you can so that you and your family can enjoy the outdoors.
This weed killer from Ortho makes it easy to get rid of dandelions and other pesky weeds. It’s formulated to kill weeds while being fast-acting, so you can enjoy your yard sooner. The product is highly concentrated and comes with 24 stump tube applicators, or enough to cover 24,000 sq ft with a 3-oz application. This weed killer remains effective for up to 14 weeks, plus it leaves the grass green, so you can do the job once and relax till next season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What will kill dandelions but not grass?
Go for a dandelion killer that is selective in its action. Although you will probably have to do multiple applications of weed killer just to effectively destroy dandelions, you don’t want to have to do the same to harm your grass.
Phosphorous, for example, will destroy all the weeds in your lawn, but it will also do so to your grass. So will a lot of the weed killers that contain chemicals with a good name in the market. But there are weed killers that will kill your dandelions and other weeds, while not seriously harming your grass.
The simplest solution is to put down newspaper or cardboard over the grass and spray away on the weeds that are visible. When you are done spraying, go ahead and leave the paper or cardboard in place as that will protect the grass from the weed killer.
How do I permanently get rid of dandelions?
Dandelions are a notorious weed found all over the world. It is one of the most difficult weeds to get rid of because of its deep rooted system.
If a dandelion is left unaddressed, it will spread fast and possibly invade your entire yard. However, if you can pull it out at its root or before it flowers and produces seeds, then you’ve already won the battle.
One of the first battle strategies against dandelions is early detection. Dandelions will start to show up in the beginning of spring so track them early and attack. Also, try to pull out as many as you can using the green flower but leave the white one till it turns yellow and breaks off. Removing the yellow flower is key in beating the dandelion, so don’t forget to do it.
How do I kill dandelions in my lawn naturally?
The best way to kill dandelions naturally is to apply a granular grass killer to your lawn in the Spring when the new leaves are starting to pop up but before any flowers. The best generic grass killers are Ortho WeedB-Gon
You can also do it over a period of two years to avoid over-exposure of the lawn to the chemicals. In the first year, make the application in late-April then wait six weeks and make another application in early August. The last application is made in early March.
Follow the dandelion control program in your area with great care. Avoid making applications in areas where children play or where seniors may gather.
Conclusion
Until recently, if you lived in areas where dandelions make your yard look like an unsightly, dried up vegetable patch, the only option you had was to pick them by hand. What you need today is the best dandelion killer that can not only kill along with all the weeds that grow in your yard, but can also be used to fertilize your lawn!
You can now purchase a dandelion killer spray that makes it easy and effective for you to rid your yard of all the annoying dandelions and keep your grass healthy at the same time in a natural and harmless way!
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate | Best Overall | |
| Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer | Budget Pick | |
| Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed & Grass Killer | Upgrade Pick | |