Will Image Kill Crabgrass?

The selective herbicide, Image, aids in control of crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) and the specialized Image product, Image Kills Crabgrass, kills crabgrass in established lawns. Both of these products act on actively growing weeds, but do not prevent germination of seeds. Therefore, repeat applications during the growing season may be necessary to eliminate crabgrass from your lawn.

Crabgrass grows in all U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones. An annual weed, seeds germinate from mid spring until midsummer, after temperatures in the top inch of soil reach 55 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit at daybreak for four to five days. Plants grow rapidly during warm weather, prolifically producing seed, even when the mowing height is 1/4 inch. Because seeds remain viable in the soil and able to germinate for several years, a consistent eradication program takes years for success.

Image makes several products for post-emergence control of weeds in established lawns. Image 70 DG herbicide, with active ingredient imazaquin, aids in the control of crabgrass in warm-season Bermudagrass, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, seashore paspalum and zoysiagrass. Crabgrass roots and leaves absorb the chemical, which stops plant growth but can take weeks for complete kill. Best effect is achieved when grass receives 1/4 to 1/2 inch of irrigation one to seven days following herbicide application.

Image Kills Crabgrass, with active ingredients sulfentrazone and quinclorac, is designed for use on selected warm-season and cool-season grasses, including Bermudagrass, buffalograss, centipedegrass, seashore paspalum, zoysiagrass, bentgrass, bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass, according to the product label. Image Kills Crabgrass should not be applied to St. Augustinegrass lawns.

Both Image 70 DG and Image Kills Crabgrass are mixed in water, following label instructions, and applied with a tank sprayer. Agitation during the tank filling process and periodically during application keeps the product in suspension for even coverage. Timing of application is essential to achieve optimal results. Apply Image to young, actively growing crabgrass seedlings when the established turf is growing without drought or low-temperature stress. Use Image Kills Crabgrass only once a year.

Wear protective clothing while mixing and applying Image herbicide to your lawn. Observe all label precautions, which include avoidance of spraying when winds are greater than 10 miles per hour and avoiding ornamentals and unlabeled grasses or other plants. After applying Image to slopes or embankments, irrigate with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water to move Image into the plant root zone to avoid runoff and contamination of adjacent plantings. When Image 70 DG is used for crabgrass control in St. Augustinegrass, use only after grass is actively growing in spring and do not mow the grass for 48 hours after Image application. Do not enter treated areas without wearing protective clothing until the grass dries.