Drive XLR8 Herbicide Crabgrass Killer is not recommended to be applied using hose end sprayer as it is difficult to regulate the amount of water coverage and to ensure adequate water volume is coming out to evenly and thoroughly distribute the recommended 1.45 fl oz per 1000 sq ft mix rate.
Per the product label, use at least 20 gallons of water per acre or 0.5 gallons of water per 1000 sq ft at a low pressure setting of 20 to 40 psi to provide uniform spray distribution. A methylated seed oil surfactant is also recommended to be tank mixed with Drive XLR8 for best results.
Please view our How to Calibrate Your Sprayer Video for more information.
Drive XLR8 should be applied when crabgrass is actively growing and temperatures are between 65 and 85 degrees. For best results, a methylated seed oil surfactant ike Duo Stick should be tank mixed for better coverage and faster burndown of weeds. The product label states for consistent results, make Drive XLR8 application to newly germinated, to 1-tiller crabgrass, and when crabgrass has matured to 5 tillers or greater. Repeat application may be needed 21 days following the initial application.
Drive XLR8 is not recommended to be used in a hose end sprayer.
The first thing you need to know when using an herbicide such as Drive XLR8 Herbicide is that the exact amount of water you dilute it with is not important. It is only important to make sure you are using the correct amount of product per 1,000 sq ft of lawn. Use too much and you risk damaging your lawn, use too little and you will not get adequate results. You will need to use 0.50 - 1.45 oz per 1,000 sq ft (please read the product label for the exact usage rate needed for your application) . To decide how much water you want to use, you should mark a 1,000 sq ft area, fill your sprayer with water ONLY, and start walking and spraying just as if you were doing the actual application of herbicide. When you are done walking and spraying the 1,000 sq ft area note how much water it took you to spray that area, and that is the amount you will want to mix 0.50 - 1.45 oz of product with for each 1,000 sq ft area that needs to be treated. You will need to make sure treated areas are irrigated with at least 1/2 inch of water (either by rainfall or by sprinkler) following the application. Please contact your local cooperative extension office to determine the correct timing of the application as this will vary greatly from region to region.
Unfortunately their is not a selective product that will remove crabgrass from St. Augustine. St. Augustine is a very fragile grass, and so most selective products that are labeled to remove crabgrass and not your real grass, will hurt the St. Augustine. It is recommended to kill the crabgrass with a round up type product, like Ranger Pro, which will also kill just the St. Augustine around the crabgrass that it is sprayed on, and then a couple weeks later re-seed those areas with new St. Augustine.
For long term control though, you should apply a pre-emergent in the late fall and early spring which will prevent new crabgrass from coming up next year. If you apply pre-emergent every year, you should not have issues with crabgrass long term. Dimension 2EW is one of our most popular pre-emergents for crabgrass.
