Landscapers use professional-grade weed control products formulated for efficiency, precision, and greater potency than those available to homeowners. The core difference lies in the concentration of active ingredients and residual activity, allowing commercial applications to last significantly longer. Professional pre-emergents can maintain an active barrier against germinating weeds for up to nine months, requiring fewer applications to maintain large areas.
Professional Classification of Herbicides
The choice of commercial weed killer depends on classifying herbicides by their specific function. Landscapers first choose between selective or non-selective products. Selective herbicides target only specific weeds, such as removing broadleaf weeds from turfgrass without harming the grass species. Non-selective options kill all plant life they contact and are reserved for clearing hardscapes or areas needing to be reset.
Herbicides are also categorized by the timing of application: pre-emergent and post-emergent. Pre-emergent herbicides are applied to the soil before weed seeds germinate, creating a chemical barrier that stops the seedling from emerging. Post-emergent products are applied directly to weeds that are actively growing. Professionals often combine both types to manage weeds at various stages of their life cycle.
The final distinction is the mode of action: systemic or contact-based. Contact herbicides act quickly by destroying only the plant tissue they physically touch, leading to visible burn-down. Systemic herbicides are slower, absorbed by the leaves or roots and translocated throughout the entire plant, including the root system. Systemic action is necessary for the long-term control of perennial weeds.
Primary Active Ingredients Used by Landscapers
The most common compound is glyphosate, a non-selective, systemic herbicide used for clearing large areas or spot-treating weeds in non-turf settings. It works by inhibiting a plant enzyme necessary for synthesizing aromatic amino acids. Because it has no significant soil residual activity, it can be applied near desirable plants, provided care is taken to avoid contact with their foliage.
For selective control of broadleaf weeds in established lawns, landscapers rely on 2,4-D, a systemic auxin-type herbicide. It mimics the natural plant hormone auxin, causing uncontrolled growth that kills the target weed without damaging most grasses. This ingredient is often combined with other selective herbicides, such as dicamba or mecoprop, to increase the spectrum of susceptible weeds.
To combat tough, woody plants, vines, and brush, professionals use triclopyr, another systemic, auxin-mimicking herbicide. It is particularly effective on perennial broadleaf weeds and is generally faster-acting than glyphosate. Triclopyr is often tank-mixed with glyphosate to create a powerful, broad-spectrum solution for clearing overgrown areas.
Preventative control uses pre-emergent chemicals like pendimethalin or dichlobenil, applied to the soil to stop weeds like crabgrass before they sprout. Pendimethalin works by inhibiting cell division in the plant root tips, preventing the seedling from establishing itself. Professional formulations provide a consistent, long-lasting barrier, often lasting the entire growing season from a single application.
Specialized Application Techniques and Timing
Professional results rely on specialized application techniques and precise timing. Commercial applicators calibrate their spray equipment, such as backpack and boom sprayers, to ensure the correct volume is delivered over a specific area. This guarantees the herbicide is applied at the labeled rate, maximizing effectiveness while adhering to safety standards.
Timing is managed to align with the weed’s growth cycle and environmental conditions. Pre-emergent products are deployed seasonally, typically in early spring and fall, to intercept seed germination. Post-emergent applications are most effective when target weeds are actively growing, allowing systemic herbicides to be rapidly absorbed and translocated.
Landscapers use specialized additives called adjuvants in their spray mixtures to improve performance. Surfactants, a common adjuvant, reduce the surface tension, causing the solution to spread more evenly on the leaf surface. Other adjuvants, such as drift control agents and water conditioners, ensure the spray stays on target and the chemical remains effective.
Safety and Regulatory Compliance for Commercial Use
The potency of commercial-grade products necessitates a stringent safety and regulatory framework. Landscaping companies must employ certified commercial applicators who have passed examinations demonstrating knowledge of pesticide safety, laws, and application techniques. This certification grants them access to Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) not available to the general public.
Applicators are mandated by law to follow all instructions on the product label. This includes wearing specified personal protective equipment (PPE), such as chemical-resistant gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and protective eyewear. Proper handling protocols minimize applicator exposure and prevent the accidental track-in of chemicals into client homes.
Commercial operations are responsible for environmental stewardship, including protecting sensitive areas like waterways and ensuring client notification. Regulatory oversight ensures professionals understand the environmental fate of the chemicals, such as the potential for runoff or drift, and take measures to mitigate these risks.