Dicamba does not kill grass or grassy weeds. Instead, it targets broadleaf weeds and non-grassy plants. This means that it is safe to use dicamba to kill weeds in your lawn, since your grass won’t be harmed. However, dicamba is rarely sold as a stand-alone weed killer. It is often combined with 2,4-D in commercial weed sprays. This is perfectly safe for lawns because 2,4-D won’t kill your grass either.
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Can You Spray Dicamba on Your Lawn?
Dicamba is safe to spray on lawns. It won’t attack grass but it will kill broadleaf weed species, such as clover and dandelions. This gives dicamba an advantage when you compare dicamba vs. glyphosate. Dicamba is selective, which means it will only attack certain species. Glyphosate—which is found in Roundup—is a non-selective herbicide that kills weeds and lawn grass.
- You can spray dicamba on your lawn without killing your grass.
- Dicamba is a selective herbicide that kills non-grassy plants only.
- Do not allow dicamba spray to reach non-grassy plants in your garden—it can kill them.
- Look at the active ingredients in your weed killer—dicamba is often combined with other ingredients. Not all of them are lawn-safe.
When using any weed killer containing dicamba, pay close attention to the active ingredients listed on the label. Sometimes, Dicamba is combined with quinclorac. Although quinclorac is a great crabgrass killer that won’t harm most lawns, it can damage some grasses. Quinclorac will kill St. Augustine, Centipede grass, and Bahiagrass. So, if you have one of these grass types, avoid products that combine dicamba and quinclorac.
How Do You Apply Dicamba to Your Lawn?
To use dicamba to kill weeds in your lawn, first, choose your weed killer. It is very rare to find dicamba as a standalone product. Instead, it is often mixed with other herbicides to boost effectiveness. If you are looking for a lawn weed killer that is safe for all lawns, choose a weed killer spray with the following two active ingredients: dicamba and 2,4-D.
- Use this lawn-safe weed killer containing dicamba and 2,4-D.
- Follow the directions and safety precautions on the product label.
- Spray dicamba to thoroughly mist the leaves of the weed, to ensure it is killed.
After choosing your dicamba weed killer, review the label for specialized instructions. Follow these instructions, along with any safety guidelines on the label. It is important to note that dicamba works when it is absorbed through the leaves and roots of weeds. Since it is hard to access the roots, spray the leaves thoroughly with the dicamba weed killer. Once it is absorbed, the dicamba will travel through the weed and kill it completely.
What Kind of Weeds Does Dicamba Kill?
Dicamba kills broadleaf and woody plants. This means it is effective on non-grassy weeds, vines, shrubs, and even small trees. Dicamba can be used to kill small annual weeds or tough perennial weeds in your lawn. It’s even effective against ivies, such as creeping charlie and English ivy.
- Broadleaf plants, such as non-grassy weeds, vines, bushes, and very young trees.
- Dicamba will also kill desirable plants, such as flowers and vegetables.
- Grasses and grassy weeds will not be killed by dicamba.
Dicamba won’t kill pest grasses such as crabgrass, poa annua, or sedge. You will need a specialized product to target these stubborn weeds without harming your lawn. Dicamba does kill a wide range of broadleaf plants without harming your grass, so it is still very useful for most weed-control needs.
How Long Does it Take for Dicamba to Kill Weeds?
Dicamba fully kills weeds 14–21 days after application. However, the weeds may begin wilting within a few days of application. Remain patient as dicamba works. It takes time, but dicamba is a systemic herbicide that kills the aboveground and underground portions of the plant, which ensures the weeds won’t grow back.
How Long After Spraying Dicamba Can You Mow?
It’s important to wait at least 2 weeks before mowing, cutting, or uprooting weeds sprayed with Dicamba. This gives the herbicide time to spread through the plant and attack the roots. Mowing too soon after applying dicamba may interrupt the spread of the herbicide. This could allow the weeds you sprayed to sprout back from the roots.
How Long Does Dicamba Need to be on Before Rain?
Dicamba can be exposed to rain 4–6 hours after application. This also means that you can water your lawn 4–6 hours after spraying weeds with dicamba, if necessary. Check the forecast before spraying weeds in your yard. If there is no chance of rain that day, it’s safe to spray.
Does Dicamba Hurt Grass?
Before using dicamba, you’re probably wondering if it can harm your grass. Here are the facts:
- Dicamba is a selective herbicide that will not hurt your grass.
- In many commercially available weed sprays, dicamba is combined with 2,4-D.
- 2,4-D is also safe for grass.
- Check to see if your dicamba product contains quinclorac—this herbicide can harm some grass types.
- Dicamba attacks broadleaf weeds and plants only.
- Grassy weeds will not be killed by dicamba.
- Weeds will die completely 2–3 weeks after being sprayed with dicamba.
With these facts, you can select a lawn-safe weed killer. Then, you can wipe out weeds without hurting your lawn.