If your beautiful, glossy lawn is starting to show signs of moss infestations, your best solution is investing in the best moss killer for lawns. While there are many moss killers in the market, few are formulated to work only on lawns, so it is vital you get the correct one.
Moss is sometimes quite decorative, and you can even find products that encourage its growth. However, if it is not wanted on your lawn, taking action now rather than later is the only way you can curb its spread.
One of the signs you can look for to understand your best lawn moss killer is the state of your grass. Usually, moss tends to eat up all the nutrients in the soil, thus leaving the grass to dry up. At this point, you will need to also treat the soil in addition to killing the moss.
This article looks at the easily available moss control products for your lawn and the factors you should consider as you look to tame excessive moss growth.
1. Scotts Turf Builder with Moss Control for Lawns
- Kills moss and thickens grass to fill in bare spots
- Kills moss, not lawns—guaranteed
- Improves lawn's ability to absorb water and nutrients versus an...
- Apply during winter or spring when moss is actively growing
- Feeds to help prevent future moss problems
One thing to understand about moss on your lawn is how fast it deprives your grass of nutrients. Thus, a product that kills moss will also need to improve your lawn for better health.
The Scotts Turf Builder moss killer will not affect the integrity of your grass but will quickly kill all moss within a few days. Once applied, it will help the lawn absorb water and nutrients better while guaranteeing a long period without moss.
It comes in granule form, and you will need a Sotts spreader to apply on moist and mowed lawn to reach even the lowest moss. Additionally, you can apply it on any grass and during seasons such as winter or spring when moss spreads faster.
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2. Lilly Miller Moss Killer for Lawn
- Kills lawn moss quickly
- Works in Hours!
- Liquid iron gives superior results
Your best moss killer for lawns needs to be easy to apply and to work fast to kill moss within hours. This Lilly Miller moss control product is designed to tackle actively growing mos within a day, after which you will notice the moss discoloring, so it's easier to remove.
It comes in an easy-to-use bottle that you attach to a hose for a fast appliance. This formula is ready to apply without needing to wet the lawn, unlike the Scotts granule moss killer.
It is a 32 oz bottle that can cover a 500 sq. ft moss-infested lawn. While it will kill moss quickly and keep it at bay for the foreseeable future, this moss killer can easily leave unwanted stains on surfaces around your lawn, so it is best to apply it with caution.
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3. BioAdvanced Moss and Algae Killer
- MOSS and ALGAE KILLER and CLEANER: Kills moss, algae, lichen,...
- 2-in-1 KILLER and CLEANER: Use on lawns, patios, roofs,...
- KILLS WITHIN HOURS: Moss will quickly turn yellow and then brown,...
- NON-BLEACH FORMULA: BioAdvanced non-bleach formula will not stain...
- COVERAGE AREA: Treats up to 500 square feet
Sometimes, your lawn is infested with moss and a host of other things like lichen and more. The best product to use in such cases will need to get rid of moss and other infestations. The Bioadvances moss and algae killer is designed to help restore your lawn, roof, walls, and other areas of your home to the best health.
The liquid formula comes in an easy-to-use bottle and will offer a 500 sq. ft coverage. In addition, it will not stain your surfaces as it is a non-bleach formula. The moss killer also works within hours, where you will notice the moss yellowing and eventually turning brown.
While you will need to remove the dead moss physically, it is still your best moss killer for lawns when you want long periods without infestation. The formula is ideal for all grass types and is best applied during temperatures of between 50°-90°F.
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4. Bonide MossMax Moss Killer
- MOSS KILLER - MossMax is effective in controlling mold, mildew,...
- OUTDOOR USE - This product is designed for use on lawns,...
- PROMOTES HEALTHY LAWNS - MossMax Moss Killer knocks out moss so...
- YEAR ROUND APPLICATION - The product can be used any time moss is...
- READY TO SPRAY - This product arrives in a container with an...
This is another moss killer that is designed to control moss on your lawn. In addition to killing moss, this 32 oz liquid is also ideal for other infestations around your home, such as lichen and algae, among others.
It is an easy to spray moss killer that will kill moss without affecting the health of your lawn. After the moss dies, your lawn will grow back thicker and more glossy, while the moss will not come back any time soon.
It is best to apply this moss killer during spring or fall or any other time you notice moss actively growing on your lawn.
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5. Lilly Miller Lawn Moss Killer Granules
- Products quick results
- Kills moss and promotes greener grass
- Does not harm lawn
- Contains 32.0-percent ferrous sulfate monohydrate and...
- Covers up to 5000 square feet
Sometimes when looking for the best moss killer for your lawn, a product in granule form is more effective as these granules can sit deep under the grass to attack lawn moss. Then, all you need is to apply with a spreader on wet lawns and leave the killer to do its work.
This Lilly Miller lawn moss killer will cover a lawn as big as 5000 sq. ft while destroying moss in a few hours. In addition, it is designed only to attack the moss, thus leaving your grass intact and healthier. Finally, it is an affordable option with easy-to-follow application instructions.
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What Are the Causes of Lawn Moss Growth?
When you notice signs of moss infestation, it is a signal of weakened grass. These are the main causes of lawn moss;
- Poor lawn care, including irregular mowing and little fertilizer addition that leaves the grass thin and weak.
- An excessive shade that leaves the ground moist most of the time
- Compacted soil that stores enough moisture for moss to thrive
- Unstable soil pH
- Poor soil drainage
- Low soil fertility
- Lawn thatch, made of dead grass, weeds, and roots, encourages a lot of moisture retention
Factors You Can Consider Before Buying the Best Moss Killer for Lawns
While moss can sometimes be good for the lawn, you will need to eradicate it if it becomes too much. However, as seen above, you will also need to address the root causes for its growth to prevent its regrowth after using a weed killer.
You could mow your lawn more often and get rid of excess lawn thatch. Also, if you notice you have compacted soil, you could look for ways to make it more breathable, thus less accommodating of moss in the future.
While you tackle the causes of moss growth, it will also be ideal to use the best moss killer to kill the moss growing on your lawn. Here are some vital factors that should influence your buying decision.
a) Type of lawn moss killer
There are two main types of moss killers for your lawn you can buy;
- Liquid/spray moss killers
- Granular moss killers
You can find liquid lawn moss killers that can also work for the roofs, walls, and other areas of your home with moss that needs eradicating. They are formulated without bleaches, thus will not bleach or stain woofs or walls, or other surfaces your need to clear moss from. Unfortunately, granular moss killers will stain your surfaces, thus only ideal for lawns.
A liquid lawn moss killer is a carefully formulated formula that is easy to apply and fast on eradicating moss. When buying, you will find it packaged in a spray bottle to attach to the hose for easy application.
If you decide to buy a liquid moss killer, you can also look for one with extra ingredients to boost the health of your grass. Often, these are vital nutrients such as iron to help treat the soil and strengthen the thinned grass for a fuller, green, and glossy lawn.
Granular moss killers are the most common options for lawns. They are packaged in bags and will require a spreader to spread all across the lawn.
Unlike the liquid lawn moss killers, granular killers are packaged for larger yards, often with a potential coverage of 5000 square feet. However, you will need to wet the lawn or garden after spreading so the granules can be better absorbed to control the moss.
b) Size of the lawn
You will need to estimate how much moss killer will be sufficient to cover your whole lawn, yard, or garden. When buying, you will learn from the packaging how much coverage you can expect. Most moss control products offer coverage from 500 sq. ft to 10000 sq. ft.
However, this coverage will depend on how much moss you want to kill without affecting grass, plants, and surfaces around the lawn. If your lawn is too infested, you may need to use more products or consult a professional landscaper to help you restore the health of your lawn.
c) Ease of Application
While it is easier to apply a moss killer during seasons like summer and autumn, you will also need to consider how much work you will have to do to kill moss quickly.
You can choose between liquid moss killers you can easily spray around your lawn or granular moss killers you can spread by hand or using a spreader if your lawn is large.
In addition, you can consider how the formula will kill moss quickly and if you will need to remove the moss from the soil. Some products will kill the moss, but you will also have to physically uproot it to make way for new grass growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the best Moss Killer for Lawns
a) Why do I need a moss killer?
You will need a moss killer to get rid of moss infestation faster and encourage a healthier lawn. However, it is also important to find the underlying cause of the moss infestation and tackle it too to prevent the moss from regrowing in a few months.
b) When should I apply a moss killer?
It is best practice to apply a moss killer under wet conditions, and even so, right before you start to rake your lawn. Raking before applying a moss killer will likely spread the moss further, but raking after it is dead will completely eradicate it and promote better breathability for better grass growth.
c) Will healthy grass grow after killing moss?
A few factors will influence the regrowth of thick, glossy glass even after you've killed the moss.
Firstly, you will need to ensure you tackle the cause of moss infestation, in most cases, poor soil pH, poor soil fertility, soil compaction, or more. If your soil pH is too low, it is an acidic environment that will encourage moss regrowth.
Alternatively, if soil fertility is poor, you will also need to feed nutrients to the soil even as you use a moss killer. Healthy grass will only grow uniformly if the root cause of moss is addressed.
d) Do I need to rake the dead moss?
Yes, it is very important not to leave dead moss on the yard as this will encourage excess lawn thatching, which will inevitably encourage more moss regrowth.
e) Can I put grass seeds after moss killing?
You can plant new grass after the moss is killed, but this will depend on how much damage you see on the lawn. If there are big patches without grass, you can sprinkle a few seeds after treating the soil to encourage uniformity.
It is important to sprinkle the seeds carefully so they can sprout uniformly with existing grass and, in the long term, not require too much gardening to maintain a level surface.
Alternatively, you might not need to put seeds on the ground if the patches are very small, as grass can spread with good health.
