Drive XLR8 Herbicide Crabgrass Killer - Questions & Answers

For post-emergent crabgrass control, we would recommend using Drive XLR8 Herbicide. It is safe for use in your lawn and is labeled for crabgrass, as well as various other broadleaf weeds. This product should be used with a methylated seed oil surfactant. 

In California many varieties of crabgrass are resistant to quinclorac, which is the main ingredient used to control it across the country. The active ingredient Quinclorac in Drive XLR8 Herbicide Crabgrass Killer is safe for fescue but resistance is possible. 

Q4 Plus which is quinclorac and sulfentrazone together for the crabgrass, or Tenacity which is a completely different active ingredient all together. Tenacity though works bests as spot treatments for post emergent control, and the manufacturer suggests only targeting young crabgrass with it as mature large clumps will take multiple applications or may not see complete control when at that growth stage. 

Make sure every spring you are using a pre emergent like Dimension 2EW or Pendulum 2G Herbicide to prevent the crabgrass seeds from germinating so you do not have to treat for it later in the growing season. Pre emergents should go down right at or just before soil temps reach 55 degrees consistently. 
 

Drive XLR8 Herbicide Crabgrass Killer is a post emergent herbicide only, this means it only kills only those list weeds listed on the product label that are directly sprayed and actively growing.  There will be no residual to continue killing or prevent anything new from growing.  We do not carr a product called bear foot Ureabor so cannot comment on it, we do apologize.

Yes Drive XLR8 Herbicide controls many broadleaf weeds such as clover, dandelion, foxtail, wild violet and many others.  Drive XLR8 Herbicide Crabgrass Killer is not labeled to treat creeping charlie. Tenacity is labeled to control Ground Ivy "Creeping Charlie" as post emergent control. Please see the product label for a full list of weeds controlled. 

Both chemicals can be applied together as long as you do a tank mix first to make sure no color changes or clumping occurs in the tank. The rates you apply them at should follow what each indicate for the type of turf you are spraying on and the weed you are treating for and follow the more strict application rules of either label. Since Battleship and Drive are both post emergent herbicides you would apply them whenever the weeds are actively growing and soil temperatures are above 55 degrees. 

Drive XLR8 Herbicide Crabgrass Killer contains Quinclorac 15.93%. Drive is not labeled to treat creeping charlie. Tenacity is labeled to control Ground Ivy "Creeping Charlie" as post emergent control. We highly recommend using a temporary turf colorant like Turf Mark Blue so that you can see where you spray with the Tenacity to avoid overlapping. Tenacity is a great product, but also a very strong product so too much overlapping or mixing the product too strong can cause temporary damage and whitening to your turf around the ground ivy. The color will come back in the lawn after 3-4 weeks but to avoid this potential problem it is best to use a colorant to make sure no overlap occurs. To get optimum results for post emergent control it is recommended you use a Non Ionic Surfactant in your mixture as well. Please make sure that you check the label to verify that it is safe for your type of turfgrass as you did not indicate the kind of lawn you will be applying the product to. Please let us know if you have any questions.

When using Drive XLR8 Herbicide Crabgrass Killer for crabgrass, it’s best to apply at either the very young stage or the most mature stage of the crabgrass.  When treating between the 2-4 tiller stage, repeat application may be required.  You should make your applications while temperatures are between 65 and 85 degrees for best results.  You can also use a pre-emergent like Dimension 2EW in the spring and the fall to help prevent it from coming up the following season.

Pendulum or Hi Yield Crabgrass Granules would be a good choice for you for pre-emergent crabgrass control in Kentucky Bluegrass.

Drive XLR8 Herbicide Crabgrass Killer is not labeled to be used on Centipede lawns therefore would injure the new centipede seedlings that are germinating and growing. You will want to wait until after the 2nd mowing of the newly seeded Centipede before making any post emergent applications. 

An alternative product recommendation would be Blindside Herbicide WDG as it is safe for Centipede and Zoysia turfgrasses and labeled for crabgrass and other grassy and broadleaf weeds. 

Apply at the mix rate of 0.15 - 0.23 oz. per 1,000 sq. ft. (6.5 - 10 oz. per acre) when temperatures are between 65 to 85 degrees. 

Yes, Drive XLR8 Herbicide Crabgrass Killer is safe for Bermuda grass, Kentucky bluegrass, buffalo grass, fescue, ryegrass, and zoysiagrass. It is not for use on St. Augustine, centipede, bahiagrass, bentgrass or dichondra, or fine fescue (unless the fine fescue is a seed blend). 

Drive XLR8 is a great post emergent for actively growing crabgrass. For best results, a methylated seed oil surfactant like Duo Stick should be tank mixed for better coverage and faster burndown. A second application may be required for control of crabgrass. 

 View our How to Get Rid of Crabgrass Guide for more information.