7 Best Pre-Emergent Herbicides for Lawns in 2025

Pre-emergent herbicides create a barrier to prevent weed seeds from sprouting. For the best chance at preventing weeds in your lawn, we’ve selected Scotts Halts Crabgrass and Grassy Weed Preventer as the best pre-emergent herbicide for lawns.

But our list spotlights other effective options for your lawn and landscape as well. We dug into Lowe’s, Home Depot, Amazon, Walmart, and many more to come up with a comprehensive list. We compared pricing, coverage, other customers’ experiences, and the number of weeds each product treats to select the best products for you.

To help you choose among our top picks, check out our Buyer’s Guide below.

1. Best Overall

Scotts Halts Crabgrass and Grassy Weed Preventer

What We Liked	What We Didn’t Like
One 10 lb. bag covers 5,000 sq. ft.	Can’t be applied to dichondra or bentgrass
Can be applied in the spring and the fall
An economic yet effective choice to deal with common lawn weeds
Season-long crabgrass protection

Specifications

Active ingredient: Pendimethalin
Application: Spread as granule
Package sizes: 10.06 lb. and 20.12 lb. bags
Square footage covered per package: 5,000 sq. ft. (10.06 lb.) or 10,000 sq. ft. (20.12 lb.)
Price range: Around $21 to $28 for the 10.06 lb. bag and from $31 up to $64 for the 20.12 lb. bag.

Weeds treated: When applied in the spring, it controls crabgrass, spurge, foxtail, barnyardgrass, goosegrass, fall panicum, and oxalis (common wood sorrel). When applied in the fall, it prevents moss (except in California), henbit, poa annua, corn speedwell, and chickweed.

Selected as the best pre-emergent for lawns on this list, the Scotts Halts Crabgrass and Weed Preventer is popular among homeowners. It can be applied in early spring for protection against crabgrass and other summer weeds such as foxtail, spurge, and oxalis. It also protects against goosegrass, but you’ll need to repeat the application after 8 weeks.

This product is also effective in controlling winter annuals such as chickweed, henbit, and poa annua. The product also guarantees that rain or snowfall after the application will not affect the performance.

Where to buy:

2. Best Pre-Emergent for Bermudagrass

The Andersons 0.48% Barricade

What We Liked	What We Didn’t Like
Professional-grade effectiveness	One of the most expensive on this list
18 lb. bag covers 5,800 sq. ft.
Prevents over 30 grassy and broadleaf weeds
Can be used on lawns, landscapes, and ornamental beds

Specifications

Active ingredient: Prodiamine
Application: Spread as granule
Package size: 18 lb. or 40 lb. bag
Square footage covered per package: 5,800 sq. ft. (18 lb.) or 12,800 sq. ft. (40 lb.)
Price Range: Around $45 for the 18 lb. bag. Up to $112 for a 40 lb. bag

Weeds treated: Poa annua, common chickweed, mouse-ear chickweed (from seed), large and smooth crabgrass, goosegrass, henbit, Johnsongrass (from seed), common lambsquarter, oxalis, common purslane, Shepherd’s purse, prostrate spurge, yellow woodsorrel (from seed), and others.

The Andersons 0.48% Barricade provides professional-grade protection while costing less than other professional products. It is a good value for the total area it covers, can be spread in spring and fall, and is easy to apply. Homeowners with Bermudagrass lawns particularly endorse this herbicide.

This granular product can be dispersed with a push spreader, shaker bottle, or scoop. Additionally, besides its use on lawns, it also works on ornamental garden beds and landscapes.

Where to buy:

3. Best Crabgrass Preventer

Quali-Pro Prodiamine 65 WDG

What We Liked	What We Didn’t Like
Professional-grade weed control	Requires a separate pump or backpack sprayer.
Can be used in spring and fall	The most expensive pre-emergent on this list
Can be mixed with fertilizer and iron solutions
Prevents over 30 different weeds
A little goes a long way

Specifications

Active ingredient: Prodiamine
Application: Dissolve the granules in water and spread as liquid
Package size: 5 lb. bottle
Square footage covered per package: 0.4 ounces dissolved in 0.5 gallons of water covers 1,000 sq. ft.
Price Range: From $80 to $88

Weeds treated: Barnyardgrass, henbit, poa annua, common chickweed, Johnsongrass (from seed), mouse-ear chickweed (from seed), crabgrass (large and smooth), annual foxtails, common lambsquarters, common purslane, broadleaf signalgrass, prostrate spurge, goosegrass, yellow woodsorrel (from seed), and others.

Trusted by pros across the country, prodiamine is generally considered the most effective weed preventer for crabgrass as well as henbit, spurge, and other broadleaf weeds. The Quali-Pro formula comes concentrated in a 5-pound bottle that is dissolved in water for a more thorough coating when spread. Its flexible formula allows for weed-and-feed applications by mixing it with fertilizer or iron solutions.

Although it’s the most expensive product on our list, a little goes a long way. Dissolving 0.4 ounces in 0.5 gallons of water covers 1,000 sq. ft. (Keep in mind that the exact rates vary according to your grass type and type of weed, so check the label for exact instructions.)

Where to buy:

4. Best For Southern Lawns

BioAdvanced Southern Weed Preventer

What We Liked	What We Didn’t Like
One package covers 4,000 sq. ft.	Can’t be used on cool-season grasses
Can be used on all varieties of St. Augustinegrass (including Floratam)	Some customers complained about turfgrass damage after applying the product
Has dual action control, killing and preventing weeds
Prevents weeds for 6 months

Specifications

Active ingredient: 0.088% Dicamba acid; 0.041% Penoxsulam; 0.027% Indaziflam

Application: Spread as granule
Package size: 10 lb.
Square footage covered per package: 4,000 sq. ft.
Price range: $23 to $27 on average

Weeds treated: Dandelions, clovers, dollarweed, crabgrass, chickweed, henbit.

Specially developed for southern lawns, the BioAdvanced Southern Weed Preventer combines post- and pre-emergent action, meaning it kills existing weeds while preventing the germination of new ones. A good option for homeowners with Floratam St. Augustinegrass lawns, which often have limited herbicide options.

Where to buy:

5. Best Liquid Formula

BioAdvanced Season Long Weed Control for Lawns

What We Liked	What We Didn’t Like
Has a dual action, killing and preventing weeds for 6 months	Can’t be used on carpetgrass, Floratam St. Augustinegrass, dichondra, and desirable clovers
Treats up to 9,000 sq. ft.	Not available in NY
Protects against over 200 weeds	Doesn’t control crabgrass
Promises rainproof protection in 1 hour
Attractive price

Specifications

Active ingredients: 2, 4-D, Dimethylamine Salt, Isoxaben, Mecoprop-P Potassium Salt, Dicamba, and Potassium Salt
Application: Spray as a liquid or dissolve the concentrate gel before spraying as a liquid.
Package size: 29 oz. concentrate gel and 29 oz. spray bottle.
Square footage covered per package: 9,000 sq. ft. for southern turf and 4,500 sq. ft. for northern turf.
Price Range: From $16 to $18 for the ready-to-spray bottle and $20 to $32 for the concentrate

Weeds treated: Black medic, broadleaf plantain, bull thistle, hairy buttercup, Virginia buttonweed, Canada thistle, mouse-ear chickweed, creeping charlie, English daisy, lawn daisy, healall, knotweed, lespedeza, morning glory, mustard, pennycress, sheep sorrel, spurweed, thistle, Virginia creeper, and many others.

Another product by BioAdvanced, the Season Long Weed Control for Lawns can be applied to northern and southern turf. With a dual action, this pre-emergent herbicide also has post-emergent products, so it kills actively growing weeds while blocking new ones.

Protecting up to 9,000 sq ft and acting against over 200 weeds, this product covers a large area and offers effective protection for an affordable price. 

Where to buy:

6. Best Pre-Emergent for Landscapes

Preen Extended Control Weed Preventer

What We Liked	What We Didn’t Like
The bottle contains a flip-top applicator, making the application practical	Can’t be applied to lawns, vegetables, or water gardens.
Protects for 6 months	Not available for purchase in NY
Can be used around 600 different perennials, shrubs, trees, and groundcovers
Prevents over 125 weeds

Specifications

Active ingredients: Trifluralin and Isoxaben
Application: Spread as granule
Package sizes: The bottle is 4.93 lb., the pail is 13.75 lb., and the bags come in 10 lb. and 21.45 lb. sizes.
Square footage covered per package: 805 sq. ft. (4.93 lb. bottle), 2,245 sq. ft. (13.75 lb. pail), 1,630 sq. ft. (10 lb. bag), or 3,500 sq. ft. (21.45 lb. bag)
Price range: $22 up to $32 for the 4.93 lb. bottle

Weeds treated: Black medic, broadleaf plantain, burning nettle, carpetweed, chickweed, dandelion, field sandbur, goosegrass, hairy bittercress, and another 115 weeds.

The Preen Extended Control Weed Preventer is a pre-emergent weed killer that blocks over 125 weeds in your landscaping beds and around trees and shrubs. The 4.93 lb. bottle comes with a lid that flips and is ready to apply. At an accessible cost, it protects your landscaping for up to 6 months. 

Pro Tip: Mix it with mulch for even better results. Take a look at our article on How to Mulch Around Trees for a step-by-step guide.

For more options for your garden bed, visit our guide on the Best Weed Killers for Flower Beds.

Where to buy:

7. Best Organic Pre-Emergent

Espoma Organic Weed Preventer

What We Liked	What We Didn’t Like
An organic pre-emergent option	Small coverage area
Protects against weeds while nourishing the lawn	Some customers complain about the value for the money
Safe for children and pets
Prevents crabgrass, dandelions, and other common lawn weeds

Specifications

Active ingredients: Corn gluten meal
Application: Spread as granule
Package sizes: 25 lbs.
Square footage covered per package: 1,250 sq. ft. when used as a weed preventer.
Price range: From $44 to $55 for the 25 lb. bag

Weeds treated: Crabgrass, dandelions, foxtail, purslane, and 17 other weeds.

For homeowners who prefer an organic and 100% natural option, the Espoma Organic Weed Preventer is the solution. The corn gluten meal, also a slow-release source of nitrogen, nourishes your lawn while preventing the emergence of 21 weeds, including crabgrass, dandelions, and foxtail. 

Espoma Organic Weed Preventer is also labeled as a safe option for children and pets, but remember to check the label’s instructions to prevent accidents or overapplication.

Where to buy:

What to Look For in a Pre-Emergent Herbicide

The wide array of pre-emergent herbicides on the market can be overwhelming. Choosing the right one will depend on a variety of factors, including your region, equipment, and budget. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the points to consider when choosing a pre-emergent.

Types of Pre-Emergent Herbicides 

Before you make your purchase, keep in mind the different types of pre-emergents so you can pick the one that fits your preferences:

• Liquid vs. granular: Liquid pre-emergent herbicides are typically easier to use, work faster, and can offer a more even application. Granular pre-emergent herbicides, on the other hand, are typically a more affordable option but require more steps to apply (you need to spread using a spreader and then water it down to work).
• Organic vs. synthetic: Organic pre-emergent herbicides are typically made from corn gluten meal, which also acts as a fertilizer for your soil. Synthetic pre-emergents, on the other hand, are made with lab-tested and isolated substances (such as prodiamine, pendimethalin, and others). 
• Selective vs. non-selective: Selective herbicides are substances that control one specific weed or weed type. For example, 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) targets only broadleaf weeds. Non-selective herbicides (such as imazapyr, which acts as both a post- and pre-emergent herbicide) will damage any plant they come in contact with.

Ingredients

Knowing common active ingredients is another important factor to consider when choosing the right pre-emergent for you:

• Dicamba: Acts as a selective pre- and post-emergent herbicide against broadleaf weeds. Products containing dicamba often include additional active ingredients. 
• Pendimethalin: The most commonly used pre-emergent herbicide in residential lawns, it controls both broadleaf weeds and annual grasses. Pendimethalin also works as an early post-emergent herbicide (it controls weeds in the early stages of growth).
• Prodiamine: Belongs to the same class of synthetic herbicides as pendimethalin, the dinitroanilines. Acts as a pre-emergent against both annual grasses and broadleaf weeds.
• Isoxaben: Also works against broadleaf weeds and grasses, working exclusively as a pre-emergent (must be applied before weed emergence). 
• Trifluralin: Acting as a selective pre-emergent herbicide, Trifluralin controls broadleaf and grassy weeds by inhibiting their growth. 

Price

To have a good grasp of a product’s price, you have to consider the amount of coverage you’ll get out of each product. Some products might seem more expensive upfront but may cover a broader area than cheaper options. The Quali-Pro granules, for example, cost more but go a long way since with just 0.4 ounces you can cover 1,000 sq. ft. Paying a higher price upfront can save you money in the long run.

Equipment

Granular herbicides require a spreader for an even application. Luckily, we have a list of the best spreaders to guide you in choosing the best one for your lawn’s needs.

Some liquid pre-emergents come in a ready-to-use spray bottle, but if that’s not the case, you’ll need a backpack sprayer (or a pump sprayer) to get an even, precise coating. Check out our guide to the best backpack pump sprayers to explore the best options.

Region

Depending on the climate in your area, one type of pre-emergent may work better than another. 

For example, although granular herbicides have to be watered in to activate the product, most can’t withstand heavy rainfall soon after application. Granular herbicides need a controlled amount of water to dissolve into the soil, but heavy rainfall right after they’re applied will wash away the product before the soil absorbs it.

If your region has heavy rains, going for a liquid pre-emergent might be better since it will seep into the soil faster. You can also search for granular pre-emergents that are designed to resist rain or snowfall, such as the Scotts Halts Crabgrass and Grassy Weed Preventer.

FAQ About Pre-Emergent Herbicides

When to Call a Lawn Care Pro

Still worried about choosing the best pre-emergent herbicide for your yard? Don’t have the time to spread your own herbicides? LawnStarter pros are just a call or click away and can handle weed control and all your other lawn care needs. Contact a lawn treatment pro near you and get a weed-free lawn today. 

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