Best herbicide for Creeping Charlie. Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) is a plant that grows along the ground, categorized as a herbaceous perennial. This plant will spread by its creeping stems or stolons and also by its seed. Historically, it was brought from Europe in the 1800s to America.
It was used for ground cover but actually, it can get to about 20 cm (8 inches) tall for shade. It goes by many names like Creeping Jenny, or Ground Ivy.
Ground Ivy or Creeping Charlie leaves has a bright and shiny green, with a round or like kidney-shaped leaves. Leaves may appear as tinted purple. To kill Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea), you will need the best herbicide for Creeping Charlie.
The plant is easily identified by its fast and easy growth habit. It has long stems that have nodes where the leaves grow.
They will form roots by the time they have touched the soil. The leaves shaped like a kidney with shiny green color and with scalloped edges.
When it stops flowering it will grow very fast. Because it is part of the mint family the stem has a square shape. Its flowers should appear in early March depending on location.
What does Creeping Charlie look like?
The flowers have purple to blue color and with a small size, about only 1 cm long. Each flower produces about four seeds.
Creeping Charlie produces round or kidney-shaped leaves that have scalloped edges with bright green color. The leaves are created opposite each other four-sided.
It has creeping stems which root at the nodes. In the spring months, small, purple, shape like funnel flowers bloom.
Why you need the best weed killer for Creeping Charlie?
Ground Ivy or Creeping Charlie will spread from its seeds. Other common methods would be by setting down roots all along its long stems. This is the reason why you will have difficulties to kill Creeping Charlie or getting rid of Creeping Charlie or Creeping Charlie control.
If any bits of the vine remains, it will continue to grow and spread. So you have to make sure there is no vein remain. Ground Ivy or Creeping Charlie can resist numerous chemical herbicides.
It is very annoying because it is very difficult to control the weed. But you must have persistent efforts in killing the broadleaf weed. You will see that Creeping Charlie would spread from your neighbor’s lawn. You can just consistently pulling up and discarding all parts of the Ground Ivy plant.
If you decided to use chemicals on your garden or lawn, there are numerous herbicides that will kill Creeping Charlie. They are Creeping Charlie killer or Creeping Charley killer.
What is the best herbicide for Creeping Charlie?
All you have to do is to look broadleaf herbicide that contains the chemical triclopyr or dicamba. You can try many products of one that does not work. See the customer’s reviews for better results and better choices.
A good deal of research proved that a Creeping Charlie population in one garden may be more susceptible to one herbicide than it is in another garden or lawn. One important factor in controlling Creeping Charlie with herbicide is about proper timing.
The plant most likely would be affected by herbicide application when it is flowering and when it is preparing to go dormant in the fall.
You should try to eliminate the plant in the fall, when the first frost is expected, or after the first frost. If you apply during this time, the Ground Ivy will store the herbicide, which will make it even more effective!
You can apply Creeping Charlie herbicide again in the spring while it is flowering. When it is dead, remove them from the lawn or area. Choose wisely!
List of best herbicide for creeping charlie
1. Ortho Weed B Gon Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Weed Killer for Lawns RTS Trigger
You can apply this Ortho Weed B Gon to get rid of Creeping Charlie (Glechoma Hederacea) or Ground Ivy without measuring or mixing the formula. It contains 32 oz to kill even the toughest weed in your lawn including Creeping Charlie.
The formula and the application will not harm your lawn what so ever if you use it as directed. You just need to connect to a hose than start spraying your garden or lawn.
The formula kills many broadleaf weeds including Ground Ivy (Creeping Charlie), Speedwell (Veronica), and Wild Violet. When you are ready, just spray and that is it.
It will kill weeds to the roots so you do not have to worry about digging. The formula is rainproof in 6 hours. With just one bottle, you can apply the herbicide for at least 6,400 square feet of your garden or lawn.
2. Hi-Yield Triclopyr Ester Broadleaf Killer Clover Concentrate
This Hi-Yield herbicide contains triclopyr ester (8oz) is a good choice to control actively growing annual and perennial broadleaf weeds. It will kill Wild Violet, Ground Ivy (Creeping Charlie), and Oxalis.
It can also control and kill other turfgrass including Perennial Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass and Tall Fescue Ornamental Turf and other grasses in sod farms and golf courses.
Formula: 61.6% Triclopyr Ester. Size: 8 oz Weed Type: Broadleaf. Read the instruction for use.
3. Alligare Triclopyr 4 EC
This Alligare Triclopyr 4 herbicide is a kind of weed killer that can give broad-spectrum control of broadleaf weeds and woody brush. It can be applied in a wide range of spectrum including rights-of-way, on non-irrigation ditch banks, turf, forestry, and range pastures.[/su_highlight]
The formula would have little to no impact on grasses. You can use this herbicide for treating seasonably dry wetlands. After application, it will absorb through leaves and roots with ease. It is effective enough to control broadleaf weeds such as Ground Ivy or Creeping Charlie.
All you have to do is to mix this herbicide from 1/2 ounce to 3 ounces per gallon of water or diesel fuel for controlling broadleaf weeds and brush.
4. ITS Supply T-Zone Turf Herbicide
This ITS Supply T-Zone Turf product is very effective to kill Ground Ivy or Creeping Charlie. It contains a combination of triclopyr and sulfentrazone, that work very fast. You can see the effectiveness of its activity in hours.
The weed will start to die from within seven to fourteen days. The ingredient Sulfentrazone will prevent a key enzyme required for chlorophyll production.
This product is a premium weed control because it has added triclopyr, precise ratios of 2,4-D, and dicamba. When the formula takes effect, broadleaf weeds like Ground Ivy or Creeping Charlie has symptoms including yellowing, twisting, browning, rapid leaf, and stem curl.
Many tests concluded to show control of the toughest weeds including ground ivy, wild violet, black medic, oxalis, clover, spurge, speedwell, and lespedeza. It has the features of cool weather performance for earlier applications and later application in the growing season (as low as 50°F).
5. Southern Ag CROSSBOW32 Weed & Brush Killer, Crossbow Specialty Herbicide 2 4 D & Triclopyr Weed & Brush
This Southern AG Crossbow herbicide for broadleaf weed can control most unwanted trees and brush in your garden or lawn. You can utilize this herbicide on rangeland, grass pastures, and non-crop areas. The formula contains 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, butoxy ethyl ester, and Triclopyr.
If you want to apply spot applications, you can mix four to six fl. oz in 3 gallons of water. Start spraying until thoroughly wet at all foliage. Application rates and types, please see the label of instruction for specifics.
According to verified purchaser, the Southern Ag Crossbow Specialty Herbicide will definitely labeled to kill Creeping Charlie. It works pretty well after several applications on blackberry bushes and other broadleaf weeds.
Great things about this product that when your yard or garden covered in clovers and dandelions, you can apply this. You can start spraying this over your garden or yard, and within 24 hours you will notice weeds beginning to die.
You will also see in 10 days later, you will never see a single weed in your yard.
6. Quali-Pro Prodiamine, Pre-Emergent Herbicide
This Quali-Pro Prodiamine, Pre-Emergent Herbicide, provides weed control similar or even better as Trimec 992 or Triplet but using less active ingredient per acre. It can control Creeping Charlie, Dandelion, Clover, Knotweed, Henbit, Chickweed, Plantain, Spurge, and many other broadleaf weeds.
A surfactant system is included in the formula that increases spreading, improves plant uptake, increases wetting on leaf surfaces, and reduces spray bounce so you will have an accurate application.
The ingredient would be rapidly absorbed by the plant for faster results. The ingredient contains 2,4-D, MCPP, and Dicamba.
It would be effective for controlling broadleaf weed in turf. Apply 1.1 to 1.5 fluid ounces of this herbicide per 1,000 square feet. You can spray with volumes ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 gallons per 1,000 square feet of turf.
No needed information for how many per gallon of water. You need to read carefully the instruction label to determine the correct usage rate for your needs.
7. ALLIGARE Dicamba Plus 24-d Herbicide
This Alligare Dicamba is a herbicide used for controlling a wide spectrum of selected row crops, brush in grass forages, and annual, biennial and perennial broadleaf weeds as well as to kill Creeping Charlie.
The formula contains Dimethylamine salt of 3,6-D 12.5%, Dimethylamine salt of 2,4-D 36.0%. This herbicide is for use in fallow systems, general farmsteads, sorghum, grass (hay or silage), pastures, sugarcane, and wheat.
There are numerous broadleaf weeds that can be controlled by this herbicide such as Buttercup, Chickweed, Ground Ivy or Creeping Charlie, Poison Ivy, Mesquite, and many other listed weeds.
8. Bonide Weed Beater Ultra
This Bonide weed killer is for use to kill Creeping Charlie or Ground Ivy, Chickweed, Dandelions, Clover, Oxalis, Wild Violet, and other weeds. It will systematically eliminate weeds down to the roots.
Even so, it will not destroy your garden or yard or lawn. It can even work after the rain for hours and start working overnight.
When you start to spray it is designed to kill a variety of weeds, but safe for lawn grasses. Soon after you receive the product, it is conveniently ready to use.
The formula contains Triclopyr, MCPA, and Dicamba that works fast. For best results, do not mow your lawn for one to two days after or before use. It is ready to use instantly.
How to get rid of Creeping Charlie?
Creeping Charlie can take over landscaping beds and lawn in a very short time. It develops low to the ground in a twisty habit and killing whatever around it.
Creeping charlie lives in shady and moist areas. Areas where grass and many varieties of plants do not develop well.
Every time you notice this, you must kill Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) immediately or face a hard battle later. There are 3 ways on how to kill Creeping Charlie or how to get rid of Creeping Charlie below.
a. Remove Creeping Charlie by hand
Because of the large area infestation of Creeping Charlie, you just can not manually remove them. It is possible, but it will take too long, and with little success. Hand removal can be done if you see a plant or two here or there.
What you need are tools for removal. Tools such as gloves, shovel, cultivator, lawn waste disposal bag, watering can and a garden hose. Here is what to do.
1. Prune Creeping Charlie to uncover the roots.
Wear the highest quality gardening gloves, because Creeping Charlie will stimulate skin irritation, itching, and allergic reaction. While wearing a gardening glove, prune the Creeping Charlie plant by breaking any loose vines which are not rooted to the ground. This will uncover the areas where to pull and dig out the weeds.
2. Pull it out by holding the plant by the roots
Check if the ground is dry and hard. If it is, water the area to soften it. The soft ground will make it easier for pulling. If the roots are deep, use a cultivator to loosen the surrounding soil. Put plants quickly in a disposal bag. You should never leave them to sit on the ground.
3. All roots must be removed completely
After you see visibly the Creeping Charlie is not in sight, you have to keep digging the soil using a cultivator, top remove all remaining roots. If not, they will grow back. Any roots left behind, they will reseed and thrive.
b. Kill Creeping Charlie with a herbicide product
If Creeping Charlie has deeply infested your lawn, to pull out manually is impossible. It will be entangled with the roots of your grass or turf.
With this situation, you can kill Creeping Charlie with herbicide. You have to carefully choose the selective herbicide. Read product labels carefully and choose a broadleaf herbicide that contains tricolpyr or dicamba. Those herbicides will kill Creeping Charlie, but not to damage your turfgrass.
1. Do it before or after winter months for the best results.
You can apply the broadleaf herbicide during the growing season, or it would be in the fall. Spray them before or right after frost. This way it will store the broadleaf herbicide.
The best time to kill Creeping Charlie in the cold season and if you do it early, make sure to do it once again before the winter months come.
2. Always wear protective gear
Always wear protective goggles, protective and protective clothing. Please read the instruction label and do the application accordingly.
3. Spray the broadleaf herbicide right to the weed
Spray the broadleaf herbicide straight to the plant. Soak all the leaves and avoid touching other plants around it. Do not mow the turf for two days after spraying.
4. Maintain your lawn
Control Creeping Charlie long term by preventing from growing. A healthy grass does not give much room for them. Maintaining and care your lawn that will ensure Creeping Charlie can not thrive.
c. Suffocate Creeping Charlie
1. Cover Creeping Charlie plant with a tarp
Cover up the Creeping Charlie with a barrier of the tarp. Block them from the sun. Make sure you cover a six to 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) areas around the plant. Weight the cover down with bricks.
2. Cover for one week
Creeping Charlie would suffocate if they do not get enough sunlight for at least one week and more. If there’s any green left after one week, continue to cover them. It is dead when it turns brown.
3. Remove the Creeping Charlie
Remove the dead Creeping Charlie completely along with the root by hand or tools. This is to make sure they will not grow back.