How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Weed Control Service?
A green lawn is a source of homeowner pride and adds tremendously to a home’s curb appeal and value. Conversely, patchy grass with unsightly weeds of varying heights and colors is an eyesore. Most of us know that once weeds are allowed to grow unchecked, getting rid of them is difficult.
Certain plants are always labeled as weeds, but any unwanted plant can be considered a weed. It is any plant that is not the species and variety of the turfgrass already growing there. So, controlling weeds is an important homeowner’s responsibility. Maintaining a dense lawn of turfgrass provides the best defense against lawn weeds.
The national average for a weed control service is between $65 and $150 per treatment. Most homeowners spend around $100 for site preparation, basic weed pulling, chemical herbicide application, equipment use, and clean up on an average 10,900 sq.ft. lawn. On the low end, you can hire a service provider for $30 per treatment to apply a “weed and feed” herbicide-fertilizer combination on a small 1,400 sq.ft. lawn. To hire a weed control service to handle an extremely weedy 43,000 sq.ft. lawn, including site preparation, weed pulling, herbicide application, equipment use, and clean up, expect to spend around $200 per treatment.
Weed Control Service Costs
| Weed Control Service Prices | |
|---|---|
| National average cost | $100 |
| Average range | $65-$150 |
| Minimum cost | $30 |
| Maximum cost | $200 |
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Weed Control Cost by Project Range
Why Is Weed Control Important?
If you want a healthy lawn that grows at a uniform height, weed control treatments are fundamental. Weeds establish easily in most soil conditions and environments, and some are classified as invasive and noxious. They survive, adapt, reproduce, and propagate better than other plants, producing numerous seeds that disperse freely over long distances. These seeds can remain dormant for a long time. Weeds grow rapidly, out-competing turfgrass for light, water, and nutrients, and they restrict the growth of desirable plants. Some weeds even damage homes, with roots and vines blocking pipes and finding their way into cracks in foundations and exteriors. Woody weeds also interfere with the operation of equipment like lawnmowers. Stands of weeds can even serve as a habitat for pests and plant-based diseases.
Weed Control Price by Type
A professional weed control service uses a combination of manual labor, herbicidal, and fertilization methods to treat areas prone to weeds, such as yards, walkways, and driveways. Costs vary by treatment method, which fall into four main categories: weed and feed, preemergence, postemergence, and hand pulling. Cost ranges for each are as follows:
| Type of Weed Control | Average Costs |
|---|---|
| Weed and Feed (herbicide and fertilizer) | $30 - $60 per application |
| Postemergence Weed Control | $65 - $85 per application |
| Preemergence Weed Control | $70 - $90 per application |
| Weed Pulling (manual labor) | $30 - $60 per hour |
Weed and Feed Lawn Care Services
Weed-and-feed weed control ranges from $30 to $60 per professional application. Weed and Feed is a generic product professionals use as part of a weed control treatment to kill weeds when fertilizing your lawn. Application kills existing weeds but can include preemergence herbicide in the formulation. This treatment may not kill crabgrass.
Postemergence Weed Control
The average cost for postemergence weed control is $65 to $85 per professional application. Postemergence herbicides treat weeds that have sprouted. Your professional knows which treatment to apply based on the weeds growing in your lawn. Postemergence herbicides work best when weeds are less than 4 inches tall and are most effective at temperatures between 60 and 80º Fahrenheit. Weed control services do not apply postemergence herbicide when warm-season turfgrasses are transitioning from winter dormancy to active growth because of the risk of injury. Instead, they apply it during the winter dormancy period or on active growth in the summer. Depending on the postemergence herbicide applied, a rain-free period of 4 to 24 hours is required to absorb the chemicals into the weeds. Avoid mowing for at least three days before and after the herbicide application. This gives the herbicide adequate weed material to act on and time to permeate throughout the plants.
Preemergence Weed Control
Preemergence weed control ranges from $70 to $90 per professional application. Preemergence herbicides kill weeds before they germinate and sprout. After application and before the seeds germinate, about ½ inch of water is required to activate the chemicals. Preemergence herbicide is designed for use at certain times during the year. Your professional applies it in early spring to control warm-season annual weeds and again in June or July to prevent weeds that sprout throughout the summer. To get ahead of cool-season annual weeds, your professional treats your lawn in early fall. Preemergence treatments often contain a “weed and feed” herbicide and fertilizer.
Weed Pulling Cost
Expect to pay $30 to $60 per hour for weed pulling. Professional weed pulling services or hand weeding are effective in removing weeds with deep taproots and extensive rhizomes. Your professional may use a combination of manual tools and power equipment to remove weeds manually, such as hand-weeding tools, mechanical weed pullers, machetes, grubbers, root busters, a flaming torch, trimmer, tiller, backhoe, and a power mower.
Weed Treatment Cost by Activity
Besides specific herbicides for pre and post-germination, some chemicals kill certain weeds or all plants they contact. Selective herbicides target certain plants, while non-selective herbicides kill any plant. A good weed control specialist evaluates your lawn to determine the best approach.
| Type of Herbicide | Average Costs |
|---|---|
| Non-Selective | $10 - $72 per ¼ acre |
| Selective | $27 - $36 per ¼ acre |
Non-Selective Herbicide
Non-selective herbicide costs $10 to $72 per ¼ acre. Non-selective herbicides do not target selected plants. Instead, they kill all plants they contact. Weed control service providers use their professional judgment to determine if this is needed and then apply it with care, keeping it away from plants, shrubs, and parts of the lawn you want to keep. Common chemicals used in non-selective herbicides include glyphosate and paraquat. Non-selective herbicides are powerful, but they only have a limited period during which the active chemicals are effective. Therefore, installing new grass and plants after an application can be successful after the chemicals become inactive, making them useful for clearing a site of old vegetation. Non-selective herbicides vary widely in price due to the level of concentration of the active ingredients.
Selective Herbicide
The average cost of selective herbicide is $27 to $36 per ¼ acre. Selective herbicides kill a specific weed. A great example is a selective herbicide that kills weedy grasses but not broadleaf weeds. The benefit of using a selective herbicide is that it targets an undesirable plant without damaging your desirable landscaping plants and grass. Sometimes, a selective herbicide is designed to kill the same grass growing in your lawn but appears in your flowerbeds, such as selective herbicides that target Bermuda grass.
Natural vs Chemical Weed Killers
Today’s consumer has numerous choices for lawn care, including organic, chemical, and both. For environmental concerns, the organic option seems to be the most conscientious choice. See the price differences between the two:
| Type of Herbicide | Average Costs |
|---|---|
| Chemical | $30 - $120 per ¼ acre |
| Organic | $40 - $165 per ¼ acre |
Chemical Weed Killer
The average cost of chemical weed killers is $30 to $120 per ¼ acre. Chemical weed killers deliver quick results and offer more options because they kill existing weeds and prevent them from germinating. They can also kill on contact. Chemical herbicides are readily available and less expensive than their organic counterparts. Because some of the chemicals are harmful to humans, pets, and the environment, carefully follow the directions or hire a professional to mix and apply these solutions in the proper concentrations. Chemical weed killers affect plants’ growth and have effects that last longer than organic, contact-only herbicides. They are often misused, overapplied, and abused by DIY homeowners. Weed control service professionals know how to use these in the correct proportions for your lawn.
Organic Weed Killer
Organic herbicides are made of naturally occurring or derived products and by-products that demonstrate the ability to control and kill weeds. They are non-selective, contact-only, postemergence weed killers, only affecting the parts of the weed where they land and not the roots underground. Organic herbicides are more expensive than chemicals, with the average cost of treatments ranging from $40 to $165 per ¼ acre. Principal ingredients are vinegar, essential oils, and herbicidal soap. Corn gluten meal is another popular organic herbicide that is a good source of nitrogen for fertilizer, making it an organic version of the “weed and feed” product. However, corn gluten meal is generally the most expensive option for organic weed killer.
Weed Control Cost by Type of Weed
After determining what is affecting your lawn, your professional develops a plan for the herbicides to use and when to apply them. Organic herbicides are non-selective, which means the cost range is the same for all types of weeds and varies widely due to the differences in product costs, such as vinegar versus corn gluten. The following table details the average costs of the most common treatments used for each weed:
| Type of Weed | Average Costs (Chemical) | Average Costs (Organic) |
|---|---|---|
| Grassy | $30 - $115 per ¼ acre | $40 - $165 per ¼ acre |
| Perennial | $30 - $115 per ¼ acre | $40 - $165 per ¼ acre |
| Annual | $60 - $120 per ¼ acre | $40 - $165 per ¼ acre |
| Broadleaf | $60 - $120 per ¼ acre | $40 - $165 per ¼ acre |
Grassy Weed Control
For grassy weed control treatments, expect to pay $30 to $115 per ¼ acre for chemical treatment and $40 to $165 per ¼ acre for organic. Grassy weeds grow on your lawn because they thrive under the same conditions as turfgrass. Examples include bluegrass, Dallisgrass, rescuegrass, ryegrass, and sandbur. Except for Dallisgrass, your professional controls grassy weeds by applying preemergence herbicides in early spring. Professionals control Dallisgrass by spot-treating it with a postemergence herbicide. Cool-season grassy weeds, such as annual bluegrass, require preemergence herbicides, which your professional applies in early fall or when your lawn is dormant. Nutsedge is an especially hard-to-control weed that looks like a grass, but it is a member of the sedge family, requiring a selective herbicide.
Perennial Weed Control
Perennial weed control treatment ranges from $30 to $115 per ¼ acre for chemical treatment and $40 to $165 per ¼ acre for organic. Perennial weeds return year after year and can be quite invasive. Engage a professional early on to control them. Examples include bindweed, nutsedge, and quackgrass. Chemical treatments include glyphosate, quinclorac, thifensulfuron, tribenuron, thifensulfuron, aminopyralid, bromoxynil, and clopyralid. Organic treatments include mulching, vinegar, and corn gluten. Spring treatment controls seedling plants, while fall treatment controls established plants.
Annual Weeds Control
Annual weeds control treatment costs between $30 and $120 per ¼ acre for chemical treatment and $40 to $165 per ¼ acre for organic. Annual weeds arrive yearly and die off. Treat them with a preemergence herbicide in late summer to prevent their germination and growth. Examples include annual bluegrass, crabgrass, and foxtail.
Broadleaf Weed Control
Expect to pay $30 to $120 per ¼ acre for chemical treatment and $40 to $165 per ¼ acre for organic broadleaf weed control. Selective postemergence herbicides are the treatment of choice for broadleaf weeds, which flowers and has wide leaves. Examples include chickweed, clover, dandelion, dock, henbit, mustards, spurge, and aster. These weeds are relatively easy to control by organic, chemical, and even hand-pulling treatments.
Cost per Acre to Spray Weeds
Weed management is a year-long process that involves many types of herbicides working together to control different weed types. Treatments that are part of the overall cost include an initial non-selective herbicide if needed, followed by preemergence, postemergence, and selective herbicides. Sprayers and other equipment are also part of the cost. Many professionals provide an estimate based on the lawn size:
| Lawn Size | Chemical | Organic |
|---|---|---|
| ⅛ acre | $75 | $145 |
| ¼ acre | $100 | $160 |
| ½ acre | $125 | $175 |
| 1 acre | $150 | $200 |
Weed Mat Price
A weed mat blocks sunlight to the weeds while letting water seep through to the soil, hydrating desirable plants. Weed mats can be made of plastic or fabric. Plastic weed mats do not let as much water soak through as fabric. They are also considered by many to be bad for the environment. Fabric weed mats are more durable, let enough water seep through, and are made of a biodegradable material. No matter the material, weed mats are usually sold on a roll in 3, 6, and 12-foot widths. Special staples help hold the weed mat in place. Weed mats plus staples range in price from $15 for a 3-foot wide fabric roll of 5-foot long to $300 for a 4-foot wide polypropylene roll 250 feet in length.
Enhancement and Improvement Costs
Cost to Mow and Maintain the Lawn
Many homeowners hire a lawn service to maintain their lawn, including mowing, fertilizing, and yard cleanup. Maintenance needs vary based on location, season, size, and frequency. The average cost range of mowing and maintaining a lawn is $25 to $150.
Lawn Fertilization Cost
Fertilizer adds nutrients to your soil to help the grass grow thick, lush, and green. Like weed control, lawn fertilization is a year-long activity requiring multiple treatments spaced out over the seasons. Fertilizing a lawn costs between $30 and $200.
Lawn Aeration Cost
Lawn aeration often accompanies weed treatment, but it is a task best performed during the preemergence phase. This prevents dispersing weed seeds all over your lawn and avoids stressing your lawn during the hottest months of the year. Expect to pay between $21 and $4,531 to aerate a lawn.
Mulching Cost
Consider using rubber or organic mulches, which create a physical barrier to weed penetration and eliminate the light required for weed seeds to break dormancy. To be effective, organic mulches such as tree mulch, pine needles, or grass clippings (even pecan shells) should be at least 3 inches deep. Rubber mulches should also be 3 inches deep. Most mulches do not do a very good job of controlling perennial weeds. The average cost for mulching is $80 to $700.
Additional Considerations and Costs
- In many municipalities, yard trimmings are collected separately from trash and recycling. They are taken to a facility that turns them into mulch and uses it in landscaping projects around the city. Sometimes, they are distributed to residents for free.
- Controlling weeds is an annual cycle that never ends because no herbicide eradicates them completely. Weeds always come back, and the effectiveness of any weed control treatment depends on following the instructions exactly for preparation, application, and post-application tasks.
- Landscape and lawn variations add to the cost of weed control treatments, especially in areas that are difficult for professionals to access with their equipment, such as hills, rocks, and slopes.
- Excessive fertilizer encourages weeds and causes thatch, which restricts the ability of air and water to reach the roots of turfgrass. It also serves as a host to fungi, pests, and disease.
FAQs
- What is classed as an overgrown garden?
An overgrown garden or lawn has grass and weeds that are taller than 6 inches. They are characteristic of neglected lawns, often resulting from properties left vacant. Hidden in the tall plants, one might find debris and garbage, small animal and insect homes, and woody weeds that can damage the average lawnmower.
- Is it better to pull weeds or spray them?
Pulling weeds is a time-consuming but effective method for removing all parts of the plant from the ground, such as the roots, stem, and leaves. It is a more precise method of removing undesirable plants without disturbing the other plants nearby. The downside is that this process can bring buried weed seeds to the surface, where they might germinate. Conversely, spraying weeds eventually kills the plants, but you have to wait up to a week. In addition, you must protect desirable plants from the overspray of toxic chemicals that might kill them. So, the answer for which one is better depends on whether you use manual labor to get rid of the weeds immediately or wait for sprayed-on herbicides to take effect.
- Does pulling weeds cause more weeds?
Sometimes, yes. The process of pulling weeds can expose weed seeds buried underground, exposing them to sunlight and creating the ideal conditions for them to germinate into new weeds.
- What is the best time to remove weeds?
The best time to remove weeds is when they are small, and the soil is moist. Small weeds have less-extensive roots, and moist soil helps remove the entire plant.
- What do professional landscapers use to kill weeds?
Professional landscapers take a two-pronged approach, using both preemergence and postemergence chemical products throughout the year. Preemergence control includes herbicides like bensulide, dichlobenil, and simizinein, which do not work on germinated plants. Postemergence controls include products that contain glyphosate as the active ingredient, such as the branded product called Roundup.
How much does it cost to hire a weed control service in my city?
Cost to hire a weed control service varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.
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