We Asked a Pro Landscaper What They Actually Use to Kill Weeds—and It’s Not Vinegar

Dealing with weeds is an inevitable part of maintaining any yard and garden, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. If pulling weeds by hand isn’t quite doing the trick, you may need to turn to a chemical solution to keep them at bay.

However, with so many options on the market, it can be challenging to know where to start. This is especially true if you want to avoid harmful pesticides and weed killers that can damage your landscape’s delicate ecosystem. 

To determine which weed killer is best, we consulted a professional for advice, and we were pleasantly surprised by his response. Not only is his favorite product affordable and widely available (you can order it on Amazon!), but it’s also organic and non-toxic.

Read on for the weed killer recommended by a pro landscaper, why it’s his top pick, and how to use it.

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Avenger Weed Killer Concentrate, for Organic Gardening, 32 oz

According to Ward Dilmore, founder and head landscape designer at Petrus Landscaping, he and his team have consistently achieved success in managing weeds with Avenger.

This organic weed killer is made from natural ingredients, including d-limonene, which is derived from citrus fruits such as oranges.

That means it won’t cause long-term damage to the surrounding environment, which is an important consideration when treating your yard and garden chemically.

“This product, and many other natural weed killers like it, are mainly made up of citric acid,” he says. “This is a much better alternative to the far more toxic artificial types of weed killer and does not harm the soil long term, nor seep into groundwater to do extensive damage like artificial weed killers can.”

No more weeds in your yard, and no guilt about spraying harmful pesticides.

How to Use Avenger 

Avenger is purchased as a concentrate, which means it needs to be diluted with water before application. The dilution formula depends on the type of weeds being treated. 

For small (less than 6 inches tall) and easy-to-control annual weeds, a 1:6 ratio is recommended (one part Avenger to six parts water). For annual weeds that are taller than 6 inches, a 1:4.5 ratio is most effective.

Weeds that are difficult to control, such as ivy and tough perennials, can be treated with a 1:3 ratio. 

Before applying Avenger, ensure it is mixed thoroughly. Then, apply it directly to the foliage of the weeds. Avenger works by stripping off the plant’s waxy cuticle and dehydrating the weed, killing it down to the root.

As a result, it’s essential to cover the weed with the solution evenly. According to the directions, results can be seen within a couple of hours. While the fastest results can be seen on hot, sunny days, Avenger is still effective on cool and overcast days. 

Avenger vs. Natural Solutions

Avenger is a fantastic, non-toxic, and organic weed control solution, but how does it compare to completely natural solutions, such as vinegar?

According to Dilmore, while vinegar can be effective in managing weeds, too, it’s a bit more finicky than a targeted weed killer like Avenger. Vinegar is most effective against weeds on particularly hot, dry days, and the weeds must be thoroughly soaked for the vinegar to be effective.

This means vinegar is best used as a spot treatment, rather than in a sprayer or across large spaces. Meanwhile, Avenger can be used to target large areas and is best applied using a spray nozzle, making it more convenient to apply. 

General Tips

As a general rule, it’s best to avoid using Avenger during wet or rainy days, or when rain is predicted in the next 24 hours. Since this formula works to dehydrate the plant, you want to prevent rehydrating it at any point. Similarly, avoid applying Avenger on windy days, as it may be accidentally transferred to desirable plants. 

It’s also important to note that any vegetation sprayed with Avenger will be affected, so avoid spraying the plants you want to keep.

If you’re spot treating (for example, a few weeds in a lawn or garden), the Avenger Organics website offers a clever tip: try using a cereal box with both ends opened as a DIY shielding apparatus to protect the surrounding plants from being covered.

Place it over the weed and spray within the confines of the shield, being sure that drips of the solution do not land on the leaves or foliage of the plants you wish to save when it’s removed. 

Lastly, while Avenger is a natural and non-toxic solution, it’s still important to exercise caution while using it in your yard. Wearing personal protective equipment, such as gloves, long pants, sleeves, and eyewear, is recommended when applying Avenger.