How much does it cost to hire a weed control service?

Reviewed by Cristina Miguelez remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

A green lawn is a source of homeowner pride and adds tremendously to a home’s curb appeal and value. Conversely, patchy grass with unsightly weeds of varying heights and colors is an eyesore. Most of us know that once weeds are allowed to grow unchecked, getting rid of them is difficult. Certain plants are always labeled as weeds, but any unwanted plant can be considered a weed. It is any plant that is not the species and variety of the turfgrass already growing there. So, controlling weeds is an important homeowner’s responsibility. Maintaining a dense lawn of turfgrass provides the best defense against lawn weeds.

The national average cost for weed control service is between $65 and $150 per treatment. Most homeowners spend around $100 for site preparation, basic weed pulling, chemical herbicide application, equipment use, and clean up on an average 10,900 sq.ft. lawn. On the low end, you can hire a service provider for $30 per treatment to apply a “weed and feed” herbicide-fertilizer combination on a small 1,400 sq.ft. lawn. To hire a weed control service to handle an extremely weedy 43,000 sq.ft. lawn, including site preparation, weed pulling, herbicide application, equipment use, and clean up, expect to spend around $200 per treatment.

Weed Control Service Price

Weed Control Cost per Acre

Some weed control services are priced per acre of land that needs to be treated, ranging from about $135 to $1,440. The cost will be affected by the acreage of your yard and whether you choose chemical or organic herbicides. If you have more than an acre of land, the weed control process may cost more and take more time than those with small lawns. If you have less than ⅛ acre, ask your specialist how they will charge. They typically opt for an hourly rate of $40 to $60 per hour plus materials or by the sq.ft., which is charged at a rate of $0.07 to $0.12. Some specialists may charge based on a combination of both. In the table below, you will see what it costs to control weeds based on the size of the yard.

Lawn Weed Control Cost by Type

A professional weed control service uses a combination of manual labor, herbicidal, and fertilization methods to treat areas prone to weeds, such as yards, walkways, and driveways. Costs vary by treatment method, which falls into two main categories: herbicidal and manual weed pulling. Herbicidal treatments involve less work and effectively handle treating weeds and their roots that have not sprouted. Hand pulling only removes the existing weeds. It cannot provide preventive treatment. The costs vary based on the type of herbicide or how much manual labor is needed. You can see a breakdown of the cost ranges in the table below.

Spray Weeds

The cost to spray weeds with an herbicide ranges from $60 to $180 for an area measuring ¼ acre. This includes the chemicals chosen for the job and the time and equipment involved. Some people opt for a weed and feed service instead of just weed control. The cost to weed and feed a lawn is affordable, ranging from $90 to $180 per application on a ¼ acre lawn. Other chemical treatments for post- and pre-emergent weeds range from $60 to $170 per application. Weed and feed is quick and effective but may not work on crabgrass. In some instances, a few different treatments may be needed for full eradication.

Weed Pulling

Expect to pay $30 to $60 per hour for weed pulling or about $180 to $360 for the manual removal of weeds on ¼ acre of property. Professional weed pulling services or hand weeding are effective in removing weeds with deep taproots and extensive rhizomes. Your professional may use a combination of manual tools and power equipment to remove weeds manually, such as hand-weeding tools, mechanical weed pullers, machetes, grubbers, root busters, a flaming torch, trimmer, tiller, backhoe, and a power mower.

Weed Treatment Cost by Activity

You will spend between $40 and $200 on your weed treatment cost based on the type of activity. Besides specific herbicides for pre- and post-germination, some chemicals kill certain weeds or all plants they contact. Selective herbicides target certain plants. Non-selective herbicides kill any plant. Non-selective herbicides tend to be more common, but they vary in price and efficacy based on the different concentration levels of active ingredients. Selective herbicides target a specific weed or plant and eradicate it from the area that is treated without damaging other plants and grass. For example, you may be fine with Bermuda grass in your lawn, but you do not want it in your flowerbed. In this case, a selective herbicide application could help. A good weed control specialist evaluates your lawn to determine the best approach between selective and non-selective treatment options. In the table below, you will see a breakdown of the average cost of each type of herbicide treatment.

Weed Control Service Cost by Type of Herbicide

The type of herbicide used impacts what you pay for weed control, ranging from $30 to $200. Chemical herbicides are common, cheaper, and more readily available. However, they also come with certain risks, including that they may not be safe for pets and children. Organic herbicides, on the other hand, do not have nearly as much risk. They are made with products such as vinegar, herbicidal soap, and essential oils. Today’s consumer has numerous choices for lawn care, including organic, chemical, and both. For environmental concerns, the organic option seems to be the most conscientious choice. See the price differences between the two in the table shown below.

Average Price for Weed Control by Type of Weed

You will spend around $30 to $165 for weed control based on the type of weed you are attempting to remove. After determining what is affecting your lawn, your professional develops a plan for the herbicides to use and when to apply them. Organic herbicides are non-selective, which means the cost range is the same for all types of weeds and varies widely due to the differences in product costs, such as vinegar versus corn gluten. The following table details the average costs of the most common treatments used for each weed:

Grassy Weed Control

For grassy weed control treatments, expect to pay $30 to $115 per ¼ acre for chemical treatment and $40 to $165 per ¼ acre for organic. Grassy weeds grow on your lawn because they thrive under the same conditions as turfgrass. Examples include bluegrass, Dallisgrass, rescuegrass, ryegrass, and sandbur. Except for Dallisgrass, your professional controls grassy weeds by applying preemergence herbicides in early spring. Professionals control Dallisgrass by spot-treating it with a postemergence herbicide. Cool-season grassy weeds, such as annual bluegrass, require preemergence herbicides, which your professional applies in early fall or when your lawn is dormant. Nutsedge is an especially hard-to-control weed that looks like a grass, but it is a member of the sedge family, requiring a selective herbicide.

Perennial Weed Control

Perennial weed control treatment ranges from $30 to $115 per ¼ acre for chemical treatment and $40 to $165 per ¼ acre for organic. Perennial weeds return year after year and can be quite invasive. Engage a professional early on to control them. Examples include bindweed, nutsedge, and quackgrass. Chemical treatments include glyphosate, quinclorac, thifensulfuron, tribenuron, aminopyralid, bromoxynil, and clopyralid. Organic treatments include mulching, vinegar, and corn gluten. Spring treatment controls seedling plants, while fall treatment controls established plants.

Annual Weeds Control

Annual weeds control treatment costs between $60 and $120 per ¼ acre for chemical treatment and $40 to $165 per ¼ acre for organic. Annual weeds arrive yearly and die off. Treat them with a preemergence herbicide in late summer to prevent their germination and growth. Examples include annual bluegrass, crabgrass, and foxtail.

Broadleaf Weed Control

Expect to pay $60 to $120 per ¼ acre for chemical treatment and $40 to $165 per ¼ acre for organic broadleaf weed control. Selective postemergence herbicides are the treatment of choice for broadleaf weeds, which flowers and has wide leaves. Examples include chickweed, clover, dandelion, dock, henbit, mustards, spurge, and aster. These weeds are relatively easy to control by organic, chemical, and even hand-pulling treatments.

Weed Control Prices by Frequency

You can expect to spend between $200 and $2,000 on weed control based on the frequency of the contract or visits. Most companies offer annual plans with monthly, quarterly, and annual visits to avoid a bigger problem down the line. They also offer one time visits that are not included in any plan at a cost of $65 to $150. A one-time visit may be less expensive but, depending on your needs, may add up to a larger bill. If you want to get more out of your weed control services, setting up a contract could be a good option. In the table below, you will see a list of costs based on the frequency of weed control service.

Weed Control Price by Company

When choosing one of the leading weed control services, the price ranges from $60 to $120. As with every industry, there are competing companies. It is helpful to compare the facts about the company and then weigh the cost for the services each one offers. Keep in mind, larger companies may charge more, but you are often getting more experienced technicians. Conversely, just because a company is smaller doesn’t mean they aren’t better at what they do. The table below shows the average TruGreen weed control cost and other leading brands such as Weed Man and Lawn Doctor.

Weed Mat Price

Landscape fabric price ranges from $0.06 to $1 per sq.ft. A weed mat blocks sunlight to the weeds while letting water seep through to the soil, hydrating desirable plants. Weed mats can be made of plastic or fabric. Plastic weed mats do not let as much water soak through as fabric. They are also considered by many to be bad for the environment. Fabric weed mats are more durable, let enough water seep through, and are made of a biodegradable material. No matter the material, weed mats are usually sold on a roll in 3, 6, and 12-foot widths. Special staples help hold the weed mat in place. Weed mats plus staples range in price from $15 for a 3-foot wide fabric roll of 5-foot long to $300 for a 4-foot wide polypropylene roll 250 feet in length.

Weed Abatement Cost

Weed abatement cost is $70 to $120 for one treatment, depending on the size of the area. Weed abatement is often a requirement by the state or county in which you live. It is a court-ordered procedure focused on fire hazards or public health and safety concerns and is based on the presence of overgrown weeds. Notice is generally given if the weeds are higher than 4 inches. These areas are prone to fire and attract and house nuisance wildlife such as snakes, rats, or other wild animals. If you receive a weed abatement notice, you are required to remove the weeds.

Why Is Weed Control Important?

If you want a healthy lawn that grows at a uniform height, weed control treatments are fundamental. Weeds establish easily in most soil conditions and environments, and some are classified as invasive and noxious. They survive, adapt, reproduce, and propagate better than other plants, producing numerous seeds that disperse freely over long distances. These seeds can remain dormant for a long time. Weeds grow rapidly, out-competing turfgrass for light, water, and nutrients, and they restrict the growth of desirable plants. Some weeds even damage homes, with roots and vines blocking pipes and finding their way into cracks in foundations and exteriors. Woody weeds also interfere with the operation of equipment like lawnmowers. Stands of weeds can even serve as a habitat for pests and plant-based diseases.

Pet-Friendly Weed Killer

The cost for pet-friendly weed killers ranges from $30 to $80 for 1 to 2.5 gallons. Keeping your furry friend safe from toxic chemicals can be challenging outdoors. Fertilizers and weed and pest control products often contain glyphosate or other harmful ingredients. Although not all of these elements will hurt your pets, it is wise to choose pet-friendly weed killers to avoid allergic reactions, illness, or even death due to possible ingestion. The concern is finding effective weed killers that are safe and pet-friendly.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Lawn Mowing

The average cost range of mowing and maintaining a lawn is $65 to $150. Many homeowners hire a lawn service to maintain their lawn, including mowing, fertilizing, and yard cleanup. Maintenance needs vary based on location, season, size, and frequency. This ensures that you do not have to do any yard work and still get the beautiful yard you deserve.

Lawn Fertilization

Fertilizing a lawn costs between $200 and $500. Fertilizer adds nutrients to your soil to help the grass grow thick, lush, and green. Like weed control, lawn fertilization is a year-long activity requiring multiple treatments spaced out over the seasons. In some instances, fertilizing prevents future weed issues by ensuring that grass remains lush and thick all year long.

Lawn Aeration

Expect to pay between $80 and $250 to aerate a lawn. Lawn aeration often accompanies weed treatment. However, it is a task best performed during the pre-emergence phase. This prevents dispersing weed seeds all over your lawn and avoids stressing your lawn during the hottest months of the year. If you want to prevent more weeds to avoid treatment in the future, this is a service that you should consider. You can get weed control without aeration and vice versa, but they go well together.

Mulching

The average cost for mulching is $150 to $400. Consider using rubber or organic mulches, which create a physical barrier to weed penetration and eliminate the light required for weed seeds to break dormancy. To be effective, organic mulches, such as tree mulch, pine needles, or grass clippings (even pecan shells), should be at least 3 inches deep. Rubber mulches should also be 3 inches deep. This prevents future weeds, especially when used with a weed mat. However, most mulches do not do a very good job of controlling perennial weeds on their own.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Licenses. State and local licenses are required for weed control usage. The licensing varies from one area to another based on local and state laws for environmental and public health safety. The chemicals used for weed control are dangerous and can be harmful if used improperly.
• Environmental concerns. In many municipalities, yard trimmings are collected separately from trash and recycling. They are taken to a facility that turns them into mulch and uses it in landscaping projects around the city. Sometimes, they are distributed to residents for free.
• Warranties. Most annual programs come with a warranty that if the weeds come back during the year, additional spraying will be done to kill the weeds. Additional costs may be incurred only for weeds that may not be covered under your current plan. Controlling weeds is an annual cycle that never ends because no herbicide eradicates them completely. Weeds always come back, and the effectiveness of any weed control treatment depends on following the instructions exactly for preparation, application, and post-application tasks.
• Size and access. Landscape and lawn variations add to the cost of weed control treatments, especially in areas that are difficult for professionals to access with their equipment, such as hills, rocks, and slopes.
• Prevention. Excessive fertilizer encourages weeds and causes thatch, which restricts the ability of air and water to reach the roots of turfgrass. It also serves as a host to fungi, pests, and disease.
• Pest control. Many companies offer pest control services within a full lawn care package. This is because bugs within the grass cause additional problems such as eating the roots and sucking out nutrients.