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If you’ve ever sprayed weeds only to wonder why your lawn started looking worse afterward, you’re not alone.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is using the wrong type of herbicide. While some products are designed to kill nearly every plant they touch, others are much more precise.
That’s where selective herbicides come in.
A selective herbicide is designed to target specific weeds while leaving desirable grass largely unaffected. Choosing the right product can be the difference between eliminating unwanted weeds and accidentally damaging the lawn you’ve worked so hard to grow.
Let’s take a closer look at how selective herbicides work and why they matter.
A selective herbicide is exactly what it sounds like—it selectively targets certain plants while allowing your lawn to continue growing.
Instead of killing everything in the treated area, selective herbicides are formulated to attack specific weeds based on how those plants grow and process the active ingredients.
This allows homeowners to control invasive weeds without having to start over with their lawn.
Understanding the difference is important before you spray.
Selective herbicides:
Non-selective herbicides:
If your goal is to remove weeds while keeping your lawn healthy, a selective herbicide is almost always the better choice.
Not all weeds are the same.
Many homeowners assume one weed killer works for every type of weed, but that’s rarely the case.
Broadleaf weeds like dandelions require different products than grassy weeds like:
Using the wrong herbicide often leads to frustration because the weeds survive while valuable time and money are wasted.
One grassy weed that’s becoming more common is Japanese stiltgrass.
This invasive annual grass spreads quickly and thrives in:
Many homeowners mistake it for regular grass until it begins taking over sections of the lawn.
Because Japanese stiltgrass is a grassy weed—not a broadleaf weed—many traditional weed killers simply won’t control it effectively.
That’s why proper identification and choosing the right selective herbicide are so important.
The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to manage before it spreads throughout your yard.
When you’re dealing with grassy weeds, you need a herbicide that’s specifically designed for the job.
One professional-grade solution trusted by homeowners and lawn care professionals is:
👉 Acclaim® Extra Selective Grass Herbicide
Acclaim Extra is formulated to control many troublesome grassy weeds while helping preserve desirable turfgrass.
Acclaim Extra helps control many common grassy weeds, including:
(*Always read and follow the product label to confirm application recommendations for your specific turfgrass and target weeds.)
Because it’s a selective herbicide, it’s designed to work where homeowners need it most—removing invasive grassy weeds without sacrificing the lawn they’re trying to protect.
Like most lawn care products, timing matters.
For the best results:
Taking a little extra time upfront often leads to much better long-term control.
Grassy weeds can quickly compete with your lawn for sunlight, nutrients, and water. Left untreated, they spread rapidly and make it difficult for healthy turf to thrive.
The good news is that you don’t have to choose between controlling weeds and protecting your lawn.
Using the right selective herbicide allows you to target problem weeds while keeping your desirable grass healthy and growing strong.
At ProSolutions, we carry professional-grade herbicides designed to help homeowners achieve healthier, better-looking lawns.
👉 Shop Acclaim® Extra Selective Grass Herbicide
Whether you’re battling crabgrass, Japanese stiltgrass, or other invasive grassy weeds, choosing the right product early can save you time, money, and frustration—and help keep your lawn looking its best all season long.