Not all pre emergents are created equal. Timing and mix rates are important for results, but what about the quality of the products? Just like most things, the number of options seem endless, and it can be hard to decide which way to go!
Over the years we have tested and used dozens of products. Through this, there were three pre emergents that quickly rose to the top as the most effective.
First we have Simazine. Simazine is a great product that is very effective against late emerging winter weeds, the ones that you begin seeing in early spring. Simazine is also very effective against broad leaf weeds that emerge throughout the spring. The down side to Simazine is that you can get some breakthrough in grassy weeds once the summer arrives.
Secondly, we highly recommend Prodiamine. Prodiamine is also a very effective pre emergent, especially against those grassy weeds that come up in the late spring and summer. Unlike Simazine, however, you may get some breakthrough in broad leaf weeds when Prodiamine is applied.
So when deciding between Prodiamine and Simazine, you are simply choosing whether to spot treat a few grassy weeds in the summer, or a few broad leaf weeds in the spring. Broad leaf weeds are a little easier to deal with once they have come up, so in our book Prodiamine has a slight advantage. Either way, both products are very effective and have minimal breakthrough in weeds if applied correctly and at the right time.
The last product I want to discuss is what we currently use in our program, its called Specticle. Specticle is hands down the best product on the market right now, and it is not even close. Specticle covers all types of weeds, from grassy to broadleaf. Specticle also has a 9 month residual (the best on the market by 6 months!), making it the most effective and lasting pre emergent available. There is one downside…the cost. Specticle cost about $1,700 for one gallon. This might make sense for a company like ours that is using it in volume, but it does not make much sense for the average home owner. So for the DIYers, Prodiamine and Simazine are likely the best route.
Most importantly, once you have decided on one of these products, get it put down RIGHT NOW!
