Horticulture Unlimited’s licensed spray technicians will determine the specific weed species prevalent in your landscape and apply the right chemicals to control them. We use a variety of industrial-strength weed control chemicals including pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides according to state laws that govern health and safety.
Pre-Emergence Herbicides
Pre-emergence herbicides work by inhibiting the growth of germinating weed seeds and very young seedlings. These chemicals damage the seeds before the weed has a chance to grow. For maximum effect, pre-emergence herbicides should be applied in the spring, before the weed seeds sprout. Plants and weeds that already exist will not be harmed by the application of pre-emergence herbicides.
Post-Emergence Herbicides
Post-emergence herbicides act on weeds that are already established. These chemicals control weeds by soaking through their leaves. If you let your weeds keep growing, they will mature, make more seeds, and your weed problem will get worse. If necessary, our spray technicians can perform monthly weed control using post-emergence herbicides.
Physical Removal of Weeds
If you practice regular landscape maintenance procedures, controlling weeds by hand-pulling may be all that is necessary. If weeds are well-developed, the physical removal method may be your first course of action. Though only a temporary solution, pulling weeds by hand will immediately improve the appearance of your landscape. The physical removal of weeds can be tedious, so we provide this service as well.
Weed Control Tip: Pre and Post-Emergent Herbicides
Turf grasses can also become invaded by weeds or infested by insects. Weed problems in the lawn can be disastrous. To prevent weed seed from damaging a bermudagrass lawn, use a pre-emergent herbicide and follow up with a weed-and-feed fertilizer later in the growing season. There are products on the market that provide excellent fertilizers for turf with added herbicides for weed eradication.
Noxious weeds such as spurge can take over hybrid bermudagrass lawns. Spurge is usually visible after the summer monsoon. Avoid glyphosate herbicides (e.g., Roundup) to treat spurge because it can kill bermudagrass along with the weeds. Instead, use a post-emergent herbicide for broad-leafed weeds. While this herbicide might cause some dieback of bermudagrass, the turf recovers quickly. Spray this chemical in the early morning hours when there is less wind. This way you avoid damage to existing plants if it drifts onto surrounding vegetation. Don’t irrigate the lawn for at least six hours after spraying.