Last updated on July 13th, 2023
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I’ve been involved in garden maintenance and worked at my family’s nursery for over 20 years. I’ve also had my chemicals spraying licence for as long which I need to spray weedkillers professionally. Now most professional-grade weedkillers are not available to the general public. However, there are a few that are just as strong and very effective that are still available.
The best weedkillers for driveways usually have the active ingredient glyphosate in them. They are two weedkillers I use that you can buy without any licence. The first is Gallup Home & Garden weedkiller, and the second is Rootblast Super Strength Weedkiller both pictured below. Both of these weedkillers are about as strong as you can get with 360 grams of glyphosate per litre of weedkiller concentrate (360 g/l). This is important as many other weedkillers, especially ready-to-use weedkillers you buy from garden centres, such as Roundup Fast Action Weedkiller Pump ‘N Go only have 7.2g/l of glyphosate, so they are much weaker and less effective or take more applications to see results.
The Gallup and Rootblast weedkillers are so effective that they are also my top picks in my strongest weedkillers guide. They’re easy to apply, simply mix at the recommended rate with water and apply with a garden sprayer. I use either my Hozelock knapsack sprayer at home or my Cooper Pegler Classic CP15 15L Knapsack Sprayer if spraying in the nursery or as part of my garden maintenance business. Remember, it’s better to have a separate sprayer for weedkillers than pesticides. If not, then at least ensure you rinse the sprayer properly at least three times before using it to spray plants as the smallest bit of weedkiller left in the sprayer can kill your plants.
The difference between the Gallup and Rootblast weedkillers, and remember they both contain 360 g/l of glyphosate, is the amount of weedkiller concentrate you mix per litre of water. If I have to choose between the two, I usually go with this Gallup home & garden weedkillers. The reason for this is that its effects happened slightly faster, usually within a week or two, as the mix ratio is 24ml of concentrate per litre of water, so the recommended mix is actually slightly stronger. It’s very effective, it also kills the roots so those big weeds do not grow back, so it’s also long-lasting. It will also kill brambles which most domestic weedkillers cannot.
So why do I also use Rootblast? Well, it’s just as effective as Gallup, but it has a recommended slightly weaker mix of 15ml of concentrate per litre of water. It just takes a little longer to see the effects, especially on established weeds, sometimes three weeks before the weeds are dead. It’s basically a good alturnative and if you have a very large area, it might be more cost-effective to spray.
It’s worth noting that with both the above weedkillers, you can let pets and children in the area once it dried. I recommend leaving it a couple of days if you can.
Now before I get into the detailed weedkiller reviews further down, I wanted to mention the non-chemical weedkiller I have started to use in sensitive areas, usually where customers don’t like to use glyphosate or any other chemicals. WeedKil Fast Acting Weed Killer is an organic weedkiller made from acetic acid, commonly known as vinegar. It’s truly impressive how quickly you start to see the effects, usually within just a few hours. The before-and-after photos below highlight the change over a week, but the initial progress was apparent within hours. The only downside is that with larger deep rooted perennial weeds, WeedKil doesn’t kill the roots, so they eventually grow back, so you do need to use it more often and it’s best used on young weeds.
Whilst there might not be an absolute permanent solution to weed growth, weed killers have always proved effective, at least for several months if you choose a weedkiller that targets the roots. Some are good at destroying the weeds above the surface but the best weed killers for drives and paths eliminate weeds down to the root, making sure these unwanted plants never come back again.
My top 8 weedkillers for driveways that I use professionally
- Gallup Home & Garden Glyphosate Commercial Strength Weedkiller – The strongest weedkiller with 360 g/l of Glyphosate and what I use professionally. Very effective and long lasting! – The best for all surfaces including driveways
- WeedKil Fast Acting Weed Killer 5L – I use this for customers who don’t like to use chemicals, very effective and ready to use. It doesn’t kill the roots, so larger perennial weeds do grow again. Best used regularly on young weeds
- Rootblast Super Strength Concentrated Glyphosate Total Weed Killer – A great alternative to Gallup, just as effective but can take an extra week or two to see the effects – long lasting as it kills the roots and not just the top of the weed
- Roundup 5 Litre Fast Action Weedkiller Pump n Go Sprayer – Ready to use, even comes with a sprayer, effective on young weeds.
- Resolva 5 Litre 24H Ready to Use Power Pump Weedkiller
- Deadfast Concentrated Weedkiller Sachets
- Roundup Ultra Weedkiller Concentrate Bottle
- Resolva Xtra Tough Concentrated Weedkiller
Top 8 Weedkiller Reviews
1. Gallup Home & Garden Glyphosate Commercial Strength Weedkiller
This Gallup glyphosate weedkiller is probably one of the strongest weedkillers you can get and it’s the weedkiller I use the most on my own driveway and patio at home as well as professional for customer’s properties as part of our garden maintenance business and on the family nursery to keep weeds in check. This stuff really does work at keeping weeds in check!
First of all, the Gallup Glyphosate Commercial Strength Weedkiller contains 360g/l glyphosate, which is the same formula found in professional-grade weedkillers the public can’t buy without a chemical spraying licence. The impressive fact about this weedkiller is that it kills weeds in one application. It is effective on almost all weeds including as docks, nettles, grasses, willowherb, bindweed, dandelions and even brambles if you cut them back and then spray the new fresh growth.
Even though this weedkiller has the same amount of glyphosate as Root Blast (360 g/l), the mixing ratio is higher at 24ml of concentrate per litre of water. Compare this to Rootblast which has a mixing ratio of 15ml per litre of water. Now both weedkillers work amazingly well. However, this Gallup works faster, usually killing weeds within a week, maybe two, whereas Rootblast can take up to 3 weeks to kill weeds.
The 2L bottle treats up to 3332 sq.m although the use will depend on the size of the affected area. For instance, a litre can treat up to 0.5 of an acre for those treating really large areas. Make sure to dilute at 24ml of the concentrate per litre of water to get the best value.
Below you can see the results of some very tall weeds I sprayed and the effects after about 3 weeks. They’re dead and need removing but they certainly won’t grow back as they are have killed down to the roots. I actually use a cordless strimmer to cut them back.
It is a contact weedkiller that starts working as soon as you spray the plants as they take the weedkiller in through their leaves. But, it is a non-selective type, so you must be extremely cautious during the application. The optimal time to use the weedkiller is between Spring and Autumn. It is also important to note that it only kills weeds that are actively growing, basiclly it works best on fresh green foliage. Also, the herbicide becomes inactivated on contact with soil, and it does not leave residue, allowing for replanting after only seven days.
Like any other harmful chemical, there are important things to keep in mind when using this herbicide. Make sure you apply it in dry, calm weather because elements such as rain and wind can transport the chemical to unwanted areas and harm other desired plants. In addition, you should avoid walking on applied areas, including patios and paths, until the weedkiller has dried and definitely don’t walk over your lawn.
Pros
- One of the best weedkillers with a high 360g/l of glyphosate, which kills weeds effectively.
- The 2L bottle covers a relatively large area, thus offering good value for money.
- Elimiantes many weed varieties including grasses, docks, willowherb, dandelion and more.
- Inactivated upon contact with soil, thus allowing replanting to be done.
My recommendation
This Gallup Commercial Strength Weedkiller works on a variety of weeds but it does take a week or two to see the results. This is my favourite weedkiller and I’ve used it for over 15 years and have never had any issues. Very effective and works great on all surfaces including hard and gravel driveways.
Overall, this is an excellent and very popular weedkiller without the fancy marketing on the container which you find with brands like Weedol, Roundup, and Resolva. This is what professional gardeners are using and have done for over 20 years as it’s not very effective at killing all weeds as well as very cost effective.
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2. WeedKil Fast Acting Weed Killer 5L
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When it comes to weedkillers, a common fear is how safe it is for pets and this is very understandable and a worry for many. It was actually a common question I got when I had my garden maintenance business which often included applying weedkiller to driveways to keep the weeds at bay, especially on gravel driveways but also on block paving and paved driveways.
Even though some weedkillers containing glyphosate are safe for pets, it’s dried. Some people don’t want to use any weedkillers that contain glyphosate. Now, one option I often use is Golden Swan White Vinegar mixed with salt and a little washing-up liquid which I talked about in my pet safe weedkiller guide. However, to simplify things, I have also used this WeedKil Fast Acting Weed Killer, which is very effective because it’s a natural and organic weed killer. It doesn’t contain glyphosate so it’s safe around pets, wildlife and children once it’s dry, which takes about 20 minutes.
Made from natural ingredients, it features acetic acid, commonly known as vinegar. The only downside is that this weed killer does smell predominantly of vinegar once applied. But that’s what makes it safe.
The only downside to this weedkiller is that although it kills the tops of all weeds and you notice it within a few hours, it doesn’t kill the roots of larger deep rooted perennial weeds. They do eventually grow back again. This is where weedkillers such as Gallup Glyphosate Weedkiller and Rootblast weedkiller differ. They will kill the top and even deep rooted weeds so they don’t grow back. With this in mind, I usually use this WeedKil Fast Acting Weed Killer more regularly and kill the weeds whilst there smaller and remove larger weeds by hand first with a specialist weeding tool.
Something else I like is that it’s useful all year round, as you can start using it in the cool and dry days of spring and continue applying it right through the growing season.
I’ve recently used it on my neighbour’s block paved driveway, and you can see from the before photo above and after below. I usually see results within a few hours, but the picture is 7 days after spraying the drive, as you can see, it’s been very effective.
This weed killer comes ready mixed in a bottle, so there is no mixing to worry about. You decant it into your own spray bottle like I do. The 5 Litre of weedkiller will cover approximately 175m2 of ground.
Pros
- Glyphosate-free, organic and safe weed killer for around kids, pets and wildlife.
- Comes in a spray bottle, ready mixed. Simply add to your sprayer and treat your driveway.
- Made from natural ingredients, including acetic acid.
- Kills moss and weeds.
- Use all-year round, even in cool temperatures.
- 5L of the ready mixed solution covers 175m2.
- Start spraying in spring and continue through the growing season.
- Dries within 20 minutes; effective within 24 hours.
Cons
- Smells of vinegar.
- Larger perennial weeds will grow back.
Our recommendation
If you’re concerned about using harsh weed killers around your children and pets, then I highly recommend this WeedKil Fast Acting Weed Killer. Its natural ingredients (mainly acetic acid) are safe to be around once the weed killer solution has dried. The trade-off is that this is not the strongest weed killer in my review. However, for killing most weeds on driveways, WeedKil Fast Acting Weed Killer is well worth trying.
3. Rootblast Super Strength Concentrated Glyphosate Total Weed Killer
I regularly use two strong weedkillers on driveways as part of my garden maintenance business and on the hard surfaces and gravel paths in my family’s nursery. This first is the Gallup Glyphosate weedkiller which I’ve already reviewed earlier. The second weedkiller I started using is this Rootblast Super Strength Concentrated Glyphosate Total Weed Killer. They are both very similar; in fact, both actually contain 360g/l of glyphosate, so the glyphosate rate is identical. Rootblast Super Strength Weedkiller is also a professional strength weed killer and has always proved very effective at killing all weeds and their roots so they don’t come back. You can also use it to kill tree stumps by mixing 20ml of concentrate with 80ml of water and brushing it onto the leaves, but you need to do this between November and March for it to be most effective.
All this does come with a trade-off, though. Glyphosate requires special care in its handling and careful attention to all safety instructions. It’s also not safe for children, pets and wildlife to be around it until its dry. Don’t forget to wear gloves and a mask, and be careful where you spray this non-selective weed killer, as it kills everything it touches that is green.
When it comes to mixing, for spraying a patio or weeds in general, you need to mix 15ml of concentrate per litre of water, so if you have a 10-litre sprayer, mix 150ml with 10 litres of water. Each litre should treat about 25 square meters with a sprayer. Just make sure you are patient when you’ve applied this Rootblast weed killer, as it doesn’t show the effects as fast as the Gallup weedkiller does as it is mixed at a slightly weaker ratio. I find it takes around 7 days to start showing. However, it often takes about 3 weeks for the weeds to become brown and die. Remember that this weed killer gets right down into the weed’s roots, and that takes time as well.
It’s also important that the weeds have plenty of green and, ideally, fresh new growth before spraying, usually from June to August. If you have brambles and there quite large, I usually cut them back with a brush cutting and then when new growth appears, spray the new growth. This usually does the trick and is far more effective than trying to spray brown woody brambles.
Pros
- Super-concentrated weed killer containing a high concentration of glyphosate at 360g/l of glyphosate.
- Kills perennial, broad leaf and grass weeds right down to the root.
- 1L bottle of concentrate covers 1,666m2 of ground.
- Spray in dry and calm weather onto weeds when they are actually growing and green.
- Effects seen in a few days to up to 4 weeks.
My recommendation
Rootblast Super Strength Concentrated Glyphosate Total Weed Killer is a professional strength weed killer for those with tough to remove weeds, and even tree stumps they want to kill. Remember, it’s very effective, but it takes time to see the effects. Patience is required here as some weeds may not show any effects of the weed killer for around 3 weeks, but the results are long lasting.
4. Roundup 5 Litre Fast Action Weedkiller Pump n Go Spray
The Roundup 5 Litre Fast Action Weedkiller Pump n Go Spray is a popular product with avid gardeners and it caught our attention as well. This weedkiller has been formulated to kill weeds down to the root, inhibiting future growth for the most part. It is a multi-purpose herbicide that destroys annual and perennial weeds such as dandelions, nettles, docks, bindweed, thistles and ground elder.
The 5L option offers up to 10 minutes of continuous spraying, making the weedkiller a good choice for treating large areas up to 150m2, which Roundup claims to be the longest spray action compared to other ready to use weed killers on the market.
As the title suggests, the herbicide is fast-acting and results can be noticed within 2 days. Furthermore, you don’t have to chase your kids away from the treated area or lock yourselves indoors after treating your paths and drives. This herbicide is children and pet friendly, although you have to let it dry after application, once dry it’s safe.
The 5L container comes with an extendable lance and nozzle, designed to adjust from jet to spray for effective application. No need to buy a separate garden sprayer for the job.
Pros
- A fast acting weedkiller that gives results within 2 days.
- A good choice for treating large areas up to 150m2.
- Formulated to kill weeds completely from the leaves down to the root, so they dissappear for good.
- A multi-purpose weedkiller that eradicates annual and perennial weeds.
- Delivers up to 10 minutes of spray action from one touch, which is longer than the competition.
- Degrades naturally in the soil, thus will not harm the soil around your driveway.
- Equipped with an adjustable nozzle for convenient spraying.
- Has an extendable lance for easy application without bending too much.
Cons
- Not effective on all kinds of weeds, such as woody and very tough weeds, for example horsetails, however, we didn’t find any weedkiller that can kill horsetails straight away. We suggest you try a weedkiller designed for brambles and keep treating several times and this should begin to have an impact.
My recommendation
The Roundup 5 Litre Fast Action Weedkiller Pump n Go Spray is a quality weedkiller that does a good job on paths, drives and patios. It acts fast on weeds and does not harm the soil so you can still plant around the borders if any of the excess spray lands on the borders. Remember it will still kill your plants if some spray lands on those.
Children and pets need not be excluded from sprayed areas because the herbicide is not harmful once dry, which is useful for busy families. The included lance, with adjustable nozzle, is a big plus and very handy for those looking for a weedkiller they can use on a large driveway but don’t want to have the hassle of mixing and pouring into a sprayer.
The only disappointment that I found with this weedkiller is that it doesn’t kill all kinds of weeds, mainly the toughest types such as woody weeds such as brambles and horsetails. Otherwise, it’s a decent choice for the price and should be a great choice for the vast majority of people.
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Read next: Best weed control membranes for driveways and paths
5. Resolva 5 Litre 24H Ready to Use Power Pump Weedkiller
The Resolva 5 Litre 24H Ready to Use Power Pump Weedkiller is a great solution to weeds that infest large gardens (patios and driveways included). It is formulated to kill weeds down to the root so that these pesky plants don’t show up again for a long time. The product can treat an area of up to 200m2 and gardeners can witness results in a matter of just 24 hours but some weeds may take 2 days before showing results.
It comes ready to use in a 5L container just like the Roundup alternative, which means there is no need for diluting the liquid. You also have an option to choose from 1L, 3L and 5L containers. For instance, if you have a medium area, say 40m2, you will be good with the Resolva 3L weed killer.
The product comes with Reslova’s Power Sprayer that features a dual-action trigger for fast application and users can also benefit from 5 minutes of controllable spraying.
Pros
- Ready to use with included lance and treats 200m2.
- Delivers viable results within 24 hours.
- It kills weeds and roots, preventing them from coming back.
- Comes in 1L, 3L and 5L containers, so you can choose the ideal option for your job.
Cons
- Some tougher weeds may not be effected.
My recommendation
The Resolva 5 Litre 24H Ready to Use Power Pump Weedkiller works as it should and is especially effective on dandelions. You can opt for the mini spray bottles to treat smaller areas but you’d be better off with the 5L for areas up to 200m2.
The product literally gives long-term results so you can have peace of mind and enjoy walking on good-looking paths and drives. Just like most ready to use weedkillers it will not be effective on weedy hard to kill weeds so you would be better off investing in a concentrate and mixing something stronger for brambles or similar.
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6. Deadfast Concentrated Weedkiller Sachets
This concentrated herbicide comes in individual sachets of varying sizes, which include 6, 12 and 18-piece sachets. One sachet treats an area of up 60 square metres. The one we have here is the 12 x 100ml Deadfast Concentrated Weedkiller Sachets and if you do the math, then you’ll know the size of the area you can treat (720 sq. meters) making it great for very large drives
It works by diluting the concentrate with water though you can still apply straight from the sachet to destroy stubborn woody weeds so would be good for killing horsetail by using straight from the sachet. It is a systematic weedkiller that contains ammonium salt of glyphosate. Once the herbicide is absorbed on unwanted plants, it is carried throughout the plant system by sap, down to the root where it starts to work. Effects are visible in 1-2 weeks so patience is needed with this one, but this is the price you pay for excellent results.
Please note that the Deadfast weedkiller is non-selective, so you should be careful not to kill desired plants when using it. However, it doesn’t have mercy for the likes of dandelions, brambles, chickweed, thistles, tumbleweed, crabgrass and orchard grass. The product is intended to kill weeds on patios, drives, paths and any other weed-infested place. The good thing is, is that it allows for sowing and replanting of desired plants if you spray borders to clear away the weeds before planting afresh.
The best time to use this concentrated weedkiller is between April and September. This is a time when weeds are actively growing and can absorb the weedkiller to the roots.
Pros
- Can be used mixed with water for the more common weeds or undiluted those stubborn and harder to kill weeds.
- Works on many kinds of weeds including tough woody weeds that most other ready to use weedkillers won’t even touch.
- Kills unwanted plants from the roots through systematic action, making sure they don’t grow again.
- Easy to use thanks to the supplied individual sachets for easy measuring.
- Fairly priced weedkiller meaning you can treat a very large area at a very affordable price.
Cons
- Takes a long time to show results.
My recommendation
Well, if you have enough patience and want excellent results that will last, then the Deadfast Concentrated Weedkiller Sachets is your best match. 14 days is quite a long time to wait for a small investment to pay dividends, and that might be the major drawback of this product.
We still give the weedkiller marks for systematic action, which ensures the weed dies from the root. Overall, a good weedkiller at affordable pricing but be sure to use it when the weeds are actually growing for best results.
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7. Roundup Ultra Weedkiller Concentrate Bottle
The Roundup Ultra Weedkiller Concentrate Bottle contains a super-concentrated formula that makes it perfect for eliminating those tough weeds from our driveways, paths and patios. It actually does more than that, including clearing weeds around walls, fences, trees and shrubs.
The product is non-selective and has systematic action. That means it can kill every plant in its vicinity and it works by travelling through a plant’s transport system and killing every bit of it, above and below the ground. It is a good killer for controlling annual and deep-rooted perennial weeds which other weedkillers may not be as effective against. Use a garden sprayer to apply the herbicide to targeted areas. A watering can fitted with a fine hose can also do the trick but will probably not go as far.
Weeds such as brambles, nettles, Japanese knotweed, bracken, tree saplings and other woody weeds cannot stand the power of this weedkiller, meaning that if you have treated an area before only to see no effects, this is probably what you need. Yellowing of leaves and stems may appear within 48 hours after application though that is only the initial sign of the effect. The real action takes place on the inside, a process that ensures the weeds don’t come back for a long time.
It’s worth mentioning that Roundup Concentrate weed killer is degraded in soil by micro-organisms, therefore, replanting and sowing can be done after a few days. Make sure to keep children and pets out of treated areas until the herbicide dries as with all weedkillers.
Pros
- A great solution to killing deep-rooted perennial weeds and woodier weeds that other weedkillers have not be effective against.
- Can treat large areas of weeds.
- Gives quick results within 48 hours.
- Degrades in the soil to allow replanting and sowing.
- Ideal for use all around the garden including on patios, driveways, paths, walls and fences.
Cons
- A bit more expensive than other weedkillers, but you get what you pay for with weedkillers.
My recommendation
The Roundup Ultra Weedkiller Concentrate Bottle is perfect for various weed killing tasks around the garden and it is quite effective, especially for those areas you have tried to treat and failed with other weedkillers.
It kills weeds on and below the ground, ensuring that they do not regrow again in a few weeks time.
i would say the Roundup Ultra WeedKiller is a good choice for use all around the garden and is especially good for thick woody weeds such as brambles.
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8. Resolva Xtra Tough Concentrated Weedkiller
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The Resolva Xtra Tough Weedkiller comes in a small 200ml bottle but that’s enough to clear weeds around the home, drives, paths and pavings included. It kills tough weeds such as tougher grass, thistles, brambles and docks.
The product is formulated with a special IQ technology for superior performance. The technology enables the herbicide to target weeds from the roots and it works well on broad-leaved weeds including broad-leafed dock, cleavers, bracken, white clover, common thistle, scotch thistle and more.
It is a systematic herbicide, meaning it seeps its way into the foliage and down to the root system where it destroys the enzymes responsible for plant growth. This makes it a great choice for controlling deep-rooted weeds.
This herbicide needs to be diluted with water before application and a sprayer will definitely come in handy. The product is biodegradable so it does not prevent cultivation, especially when used on the farm. Note that rain can wash away this weedkiller, therefore, make sure to conduct this exercise in dry weather.
The ideal time to use the weedkiller is between early Spring and Autumn. Be careful not to spray onto desired plants and avoid using the weedkiller on lawns.
Pros
- It kills all types of weeds that grow on drives, block paving and paths.
- Utilises unique IQ technology to kill unwanted plants from the roots.
- Good for eradicating weeds in densely vegetated areas.
- A solid inexpensive solution to weed problems.
Cons
- A bit slow to work.
My recommendation
The Resolva Xtra Tough Concentrated Weedkiller offers an inexpensive way to tackle all kinds of weeds. The IQ technology used in this product makes it perfect for killing weeds from the inside out, even those woody and tough weeds.
On the downside, this weedkiller takes days to show substantial results. We still recommend it for use on areas overridden with unwanted weeds if you could not buy the Roundup Ultra Weedkiller Concentrate we have just reviewed.
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Weedkiller Buyer’s Guide
Having pointed out our best pick above, the pressing issue that may exist amongst homeowners is how to arrive at their decision for the best weedkiller for their driveway. This review has been prepared with that in mind and below we have a comprehensive guide on how to choose the best weedkiller.
Understanding weeds
Weeds are wild plants that grow in unwanted places. That means we cannot generalise these plants. Plants that are considered weeds in a particular situation might not be looked at the same way in another situation, where they are actually wanted. The sad thing is that weeds grow naturally, so it can be hard to control them. Farmers encounter weeds on their farms and you can find them in your lawn, driveway and paths (the list goes on and on). These plants can literally survive in any situation and they can even outstrip vegetation wherever they grow. That is why it is important to get rid of weeds, so you are left with uniform vegetation in your garden as well as good-looking surfaces such as a beautiful weed-free driveway.
How do weeds affect plants?
Weeds compete with desired plants for sunlight, water and precious nutrients. In a farm situation, weeds can greatly reduce crop yields because they give food to pests that harm desired plants. They also can host plant bacteria, which can degrade the soil as well as cause root damage.
Some species are poisonous and others cause skin irritation to humans and animals in case of contact. Last but not least, weeds can affect the aesthetics of beautiful lawns and of course driveways and other hard surfaces.
Weedkillers
Also known as herbicides or weedicides, weedkillers are crucial tools for avid gardeners and homeowners. They work to eliminate unwanted plants and restrict their normal growth.
There are different types of weedkillers and they are specially formulated to kill different types of weeds. Many people face the challenge of choosing the right weedkiller to handle the weeds in their garden, paths or driveways. Fortunately, we are going to cover that next so you can have an easy job selecting your ideal product. Whether you want the best weedkiller for a block paved drive, the best weedkiller for paths, or even the best weedkiller for drives and paths, we will guide you.
For now, avoid pulling weeds by hand because they will certainly grow right back, especially as you often leave the roots in the ground and only remove the foliage.
Types of weed killers
There are many types of weeds. In this review, we will differentiate weedkillers by these two aspects; characteristic and application.
Weedkillers by characteristic
Here we have four different characteristics; selectivity, emergence, persistence and translocation.
- Selectivity – weedkillers are either selective or non-selective. Selective weedkillers destroy weeds without causing harm to nearby grass and are often used on lawns, whilst the non-selective ones kill everything in their vicinity so care should be taken not to get any spray on plants, this is one of the reasons why you should not spray in windy conditions.
- Emergence – weedkillers can be pre-emergence or post-emergence. Pre-emergence weedicides are used for targeting germinating seedlings before they grow, while post-emergent products work on weeds that have started growing.
- Persistence – there are persistent weedkillers that destroy everything and prevent regrowth, and non-persistent that have no lasting effect on weed regrowth.
- Translocation – some herbicides travel through a weed’s internal system whilst breaking it down. Others destroy unwanted plants through contact.
Weed Killers by application
Residual weedkillers
Also known as soil acting herbicides, we would not advise using these weedkillers on your farm or in your garden as they sit in the soil for several months, inhibiting any form of growth from happening. Some of them can poison the soil and render it useless for cultivation. Avoid using these herbicides in areas that you intend to grow crops in the next two years or more.
However, those qualities make residual weedkillers the best options for driveways, paths, and block paving – areas that you don’t want to see weeds ever. And, if you are choosing a weedkiller for a driveway, consider one that contains glyphosate because this compound kills weeds from the leaves, branches and roots.
Selective weedkillers
As mentioned above, these herbicides only kill particular plants. Lawn weed killers are good examples. These target broad-leaved plants (such as dandelions, daisies and buttercups) whilst having no effect on narrow-leaved plants (grass). Another example is weed killers used in forestry, which kills the grass without harming young saplings.
Non-selective weedkillers
These kill severely anything in their way. As such, users must take great care when applying these herbicides to their gardens. One serious precaution is to never spray a non-selective weed killer in windy conditions as the chemicals will obviously spread to unwanted places. Be sure not to walk over any sprayed areas because your footwear can still disperse chemicals to foreign grounds and cause unwanted harm. If you are spraying in a congested area, make sure to cover your desired plants. Handle your knapsack sprayer and chemicals with care too.
Systematic weedkiller
Most weedkillers are systematic in how they work. They penetrate into a plant’s transport system and destroy every bit of it, thus rendering it useless down to the root.
Contact weedkiller
Contact herbicides kill any plants that they touch. These weed killers are absorbed by leaves via the stomata and the process happens during the day. As you can recall from biology, stomata are only open during the day when photosynthesis is taking place. Therefore, a contact weedkiller must be applied to target weeds in the light of day for it to be effective.
One major advantage of contact weedkillers is that they have no effect on the soil. Results are visible within 2 weeks and these herbicides are great for dealing with annual weeds. If you want to control perennial weeds, you will have to make 2 or 3 applications.
Choosing the best weedkiller for driveways
The type of weed for your garden is a consideration you need to make, but that’s not the end of it. Here are more pointers to help you arrive at the ideal herbicide for your garden:
Season of use
Some weedkillers work best in particular conditions. A weedkiller that should be used in summer may not be effective in winter. With that in mind, be sure to schedule your weed control beforehand and read the label to see when it is best to use the weed killer.
Product effectiveness
Whilst weedkiller containers have labels that suggest their effectiveness, customer reviews can usually tell the whole truth. Make a point to go through a few just to know how effective your desired product is. Amazon is great for this as there are usually lots of reviews to read through and some may have found a certain weedkiller good for a certain weed you might be having trouble killing.
Liquid vs granular herbicides
Do you prefer a liquid or granular weed killer?
Liquid herbicides are formulated to be applied via a sprayer. If you don’t have one already, make a point to check the best garden sprayers here. Make sure to spray your weedkiller evenly over the target area to increase effectiveness. As a matter of fact, liquid weedkillers work best when the weeds are actively growing, that is, between April and September. Liquid weedkillers still come in two kinds; ready-to-use out of the bottle and a concentrate that needs to be mixed with water before application.
Avoid using liquid weedkillers on rainy days because rainfall will just wash away the chemicals and make the entire exercise useless.
Granular weed killers are good for lawn application but we would not recommend these for killing weeds on driveways and paths. This is because they can be hard to reach targeted weeds and literally you will have to cover your entire driveway with granules for the exercise to be effective and this is simply not a good idea, the only reason we even mention this, is to warn against doing this.
That said, stick to liquid weedkillers for working on your driveways, paths and block paving. You can choose between ready-to-use herbicides and concentrate weedkillers. If you have a large driveway it may be much more cost-effective to buy a concentrate and mix your own.
Take a look at some of these examples below, we have found 6 different weedkillers which will be very effective on driveways to make choosing one much easier.
Final Conclusion
Weeds that grow on our driveways can be tough to control, but specialised herbicides can help eliminate them and prevent regrowth. We want to believe that this in-depth review has informed you enough about choosing the best weedkiller for drives and paths.
In our opinion, the best weedkiller for driveways should target unwanted weeds without affecting desired plants and the soil. As you have seen, however, some weedkillers might need you to be in control to ensure things are in order. We hope you find a product that delivers satisfactory results.
Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
