How to Use Ortho Weed-B-Gon Max

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A beautiful lawn requires more than water and fertilizer, as any dedicated grass master can testify. Keeping the lawn green and clean often means maintaining an aggressive weed killing program. Ortho Weed-B-Gon Max, according to the company, easily kills hundreds of varieties of weeds without harming lawn grass. All varieties of Weed-B-Gon Max work on actively growing weeds. The herbicide is available in several sizes and formulations.

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Weed-B-Gon Formulations

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Weed-B-Gon Max original formula is also available with added crabgrass prevention. The Ortho weed killer also comes in a version formulated for Southern Lawns and is available with added crabgrass preventer. All are available in ready-to-use, concentrate or hose-end spray bottles. Ready-to-use sprays are convenient and easy to apply. Concentrates must be mixed with water before they can be sprayed.

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Hose-end spray bottles contain concentrated herbicide that mixes with the water passing through it from a garden hose. No measuring or manual mixing is required according to Weed-B-Gon label instructions. Products formulated for Southern lawns are only sold in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas.

Where to Use Ortho Weed Killer

Regular Weed-B-Gon and Southern lawn formulas may be used on many types of grasses, including Kentucky bluegrass (​Poa pratensis​), which grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 7; perennial ryegrass (​Lolium perenne​, zones 5-7); fescue (​Festuca​ spp., zones 4-7); Bermuda grass (​Cynodon dactylon​, zones 7-10); bahia (​Paspalum notatum​, zones 7-11); centipede (​Eremochloa ophiuroides​, zones 7-9); zoysia (​Zoysia​ spp., zones 5-10); and St. Augustine (​Stenotaphrum secundatum​, zones 8-10). Do not use any Weed-B-Gon product on the Floratam variety of St. Augustine grass (​Stenotaphrum secundatum​ 'Floratam'). Products with added crabgrass control may be used on all of these grasses except Floratam, centipede and bahia grasses.

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Is Ortho Weed-B-Gon Max Safe for Pets?

No problems have been reported. Ortho Weed-B-Gon Max is safe for pets once it's dry. Be sure to allow the product to dry before you let pets romp in areas of the garden where it was sprayed. And keep the herbicide off desirable trees, shrubs and plants in case they are sensitive to it.

Ready-to-Use Formula

Packaged in jugs, ready-to-use Weed-B-Gon formulas can target specific weeds or small patches of weeds. Simply adjust the built-in trigger or spray nozzle for a narrow or wide spray. Aim at the center of individual weeds. Use a wider spray setting and a sweeping motion to cover several weeds at a time. Smaller bottles of ready-to-use Weed-B-Gon have trigger sprayers. The largest available size includes a short hose with a wand applicator. Spray weeds lightly; drenching isn't necessary.

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Hose-End Bottles

Offering the convenience of a ready-to-use spray, Weed-B-Gon Max formulas in hose-end spray bottles simply attach to the garden hose. Once the water is turned on, it will mix with the weed killer inside the bottle to apply the herbicide in the proper strength. Make sure the nozzle is turned to the "Off" position before turning on the water. Walk to the farthest edge of the area to be treated, turn the nozzle to "On" and spray. Use a back and forth, sweeping motion to achieve full coverage. Spray lightly, not to the point of runoff.

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Weed-B-Gon Concentrate Mixtures

Weed-B-Gon Max Plus Crabgrass Control, like other concentrates, is suitable for sprayers with at least a 1-gallon reservoir.

  • Add 2.5 ounces of concentrate to 1 gallon of water and mix well.
  • Use only 1.5 ounces of Weed-B-Gon Max for southern lawns in 1 gallon of water to treat bentgrass, hybrid Bermuda grasses, St. Augustine and centipede grasses.
  • For bluegrass, fescues, common Bermuda, bahia and ryegrass, mix up to 3 ounces of concentrate in 1 gallon of water.
  • Mix 1 ounce of the regular Weed-B-Gon Max concentrate in 1 gallon of water for bentgrass, centipede and St. Augustine grasses.
  • Use 2 ounces per gallon of water for other species of grass. Adjust the spray nozzle for targeted or broader spray, depending on whether you're treating one or several weeds, and spray lightly.

4 Tips for Using Weed-B-Gon Max

  1. Spray when daytime temperatures are below 90 degrees Fahrenheit and when no breezes are present.
  2. Keep pets and children out of the treated area until it dries.
  3. Wear gloves, safety glasses and protective clothing when spraying any chemical outdoors.
  4. Although the Ortho Group says that they do not know of any significant issues with getting the product on the skin, they do suggest flushing your skin with water if you get it on you. They also recommend removing shoes and clothing if the product gets on them and cleaning or washing before you use them again.

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