Getting rid of weeds in your lawn can be difficult, especially if they’re growing unchecked and are taking over your property. Using a pro can be a game-changer, though.
On average, professional weed control costs $49 to $200 per treatment for an average-sized lawn. Want your flower beds weeded by hand? Expect to pay $35 to $140 an hour, with a minimum one-hour charge. Many other factors affect the cost of weed control, such as lawn size and control method.
This guide draws weed control pricing data from big and small cities across the U.S. to help you estimate the cost of this task in your region.
Cost by location
Location matters because of the cost of living, varying hourly rates, and the average lawn size in the area. Metropolitan areas with a higher cost of living typically have higher weed control prices, whereas rural areas and smaller towns generally have lower prices.
Moreover, the average lawn size in some areas is smaller than the national average. Conversely, some are much larger than the national average. So prices will vary.
The table below shows a snapshot of weed control costs nationwide:
| City | Average Cost (Including Labor and Materials) |
| Northeast U.S. | |
| Portland, ME | $50 – $199 |
| Boston, MA | $61 – $249 |
| Southeast U.S. | |
| Biloxi, MS | $41 – $169 |
| Atlanta, GA | $43 – $179 |
| Midwest U.S. | |
| Madison, WI | $50 – $209 |
| Detroit, MI | $54 – $205 |
| Northwest U.S. | |
| Missoula, MT | $49 – $183 |
| Boise, ID | $48 – $195 |
| Southwest U.S. | |
| Phoenix, AZ | $48 – $189 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $52 – $199 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $46 – $219 |
Cost estimator by lawn size
The biggest factor that can affect the weed control service cost is the size of your lawn. Weed control for smaller lawns (1/8 acre or less) is cheaper, only costing about $40 on average, while controlling weeds in a 1-acre lawn can cost as much as $920.
| Lawn size | Average cost (Including labor) |
| 1/8 acre | $40 – $115 |
| 1/6 acre | $45 – $150 |
| 1/5 acre | $50 – $185 |
| 1/4 acre | $60 – $230 |
| 1/2 acre | $95 – $460 |
| 1 acre | $140 – $920 |
You may need to pay more — or end up spending less — depending on how badly your lawn is overrun with weeds. Expect to pay less if only a small area of your lawn has weeds.
Cost by method of weed control
There are two most common methods to control garden and lawn weeds: manual pulling and herbicide application. The control method you choose will impact the final cost of a weed control service:
| Weed control method | Average cost |
| Manual pulling | $35 – $140 per hour |
| Herbicides | $40 – $200 per application |
Manual pulling can be more expensive than using herbicides because it requires more labor. It is an eco-friendly and safe method for removing weeds, but it can only target existing weeds. The cost of professional weed pulling ranges from $35 to $140 per hour, but pros will usually only pull weeds in gardens and landscaping beds, not in lawns.
Hiring a pro to apply herbicides costs around $40 to $200 per treatment. It isn’t as labor-intensive, but it’s less environmentally friendly. Herbicides are often made with synthetic chemicals, but organic, natural, and pet-friendly options exist for a slightly higher price.
Cost by type of herbicide
If you opt to use herbicides to kill weeds on your lawn, expect to pay differing rates based on the type of herbicide used. The table below details the average price for different herbicide treatments:
| Type of herbicide | Average cost per application |
| Pre-emergent herbicide | $60 – $150 |
| Post-emergent herbicide | $76 – $170 |
| Weed and feed | $60 – $185 |
| Selective herbicide | $75 – $200 |
| Non-selective herbicide | $40 – $165 |
| Organic herbicide | $87 |
Pre-emergent weed killers prevent weeds from germinating. You can expect to pay around $60 to $150 to treat your yard with this product. It’s good to use these before the start of the growing season when weeds haven’t grown yet. Pre-emergents do nothing against existing weeds.
On the other hand, post-emergent weed killers affect existing weeds but can’t prevent new ones from sprouting. On average, hiring a professional to treat your yard with post-emergent herbicides costs anywhere from $76 to $170.
Weed and feed products combine herbicides and fertilizers in one package. The type of weed killer included differs per product. Treating your lawn with a weed and feed product can be useful if you want to apply both an herbicide and a fertilizer. Professional weed and feed treatments cost between $60 and $185.
Herbicides can either be selective or non-selective. A weed killer’s selectivity describes what types of weeds it targets. Let’s look at their differences below:
- Selective herbicides only target specific weeds. They can target many weeds, but they won’t work on all of them. Expect to pay around $75 to $200 if you want to treat your lawn with a selective herbicide.
- Non-selective herbicides affect all weeds (and sometimes, even turf and other plants). Some contain chemicals like glyphosate, while others have natural ingredients that burn or injure all types of plants. The cost of professional non-selective herbicide treatment ranges from $40 to $165.
If you are worried about chemicals affecting your pets, children, or the environment, then you can opt for an organic herbicide treatment. They are made with natural ingredients, but they may not be as effective, costing an average of $87 per treatment.
Cost per hour
Different pros will charge different labor rates. They may charge more if your yard’s layout is particularly difficult to work with or is inaccessible. On average, weed control pros will charge between $37 to $103 per hour, and some will bill you for one hour minimum. Expect a higher labor fee for larger yards.
Pro cost vs. DIY cost
Would you rather get rid of weeds yourself to save money? It’s totally possible and not too difficult to do. The most cost-effective way to control weeds is by pulling them by hand; however, this method is very labor-intensive and time-consuming.
You’ll need gardening gloves, a kneeling pad, and a weeding tool to pull weeds efficiently and without as much pain, which will cost you around $58, total.
If you want to make the job easier, consider using herbicides instead, which cost around $8 to $45 per gallon. However, you risk applying too many chemicals and damaging your lawn.
If you still want to apply weed killers on your own, check out our product reviews of the best weed killers. We also reviewed the best weed killers for flower beds if you need something for your ornamentals.
Here are a few other useful guides if you decide to go the DIY route:
Other factors that affect cost
Aside from lawn size, method, and type of herbicide, other factors can affect how much a weed control service may charge you. These additional cost factors include the following:
Type of weed
Weeds can be classified in many different ways, but they are often distinguished by their life cycles and appearance.
Classifying weeds by life cycle will divide them into annual and perennial weeds. Annual weeds like crabgrass are easier to control than perennial weeds like dandelions. You may need stronger herbicides and/or multiple treatments to get rid of perennial weeds on your lawn.
Weeds also can be classified into broadleaf, grassy, and sedges. Broadleaf and grassy weeds aren’t as difficult to get rid of compared to grass-like sedges, which are notoriously challenging to eradicate.
Landscape fabric
If you want an extra layer of protection against weeds? Landscape fabric is a cover that blocks weeds from growing in your garden. They also have other benefits but must be installed correctly.
The cost of landscape fabric differs by type. Let’s look at their prices:
- Woven landscape fabric is made of linen or polypropylene plastic. It’s best used around trees, shrubs, and flower beds. On average, woven landscape fabric costs between $0.05 and $0.25 per square foot.
- Non-woven landscape fabric is made of polyester or polypropylene. It’s best for rock mulches and pathways because it’s very good at smothering plants. It costs an average of $0.05 to $0.85 per square foot.
- Spun landscape fabric is a type of non-woven fabric. It’s best used around garden borders, gravel mulches, pathways, and behind retaining walls. It costs around $0.05 to $0.20 per square foot.
- Perforated landscape fabric has small holes that allow water, air, and nutrients to pass through. Best used around vegetable gardens and garden beds, it costs about $0.10 to $0.70 per square foot.
Frequency
Some lawn care services offer recurring or bundle services that include weed control. These may be more expensive than a single treatment, but they may be worth it in the long run (especially if bundled with other services).
Frequent visits for weed control mean weeds will be kept in check better before they can wreak havoc on your lawn and garden. Most packages also come with warranties that let you avail of weed control services free of charge should weeds sprout during the warranty period.
Most companies offer a bi-weekly, monthly, or quarterly service plan for weed control.
Weed abatement
Weed abatement is the court-ordered process of removing all weeds (especially those on the state’s noxious weeds list) from a property. Some states, counties, and cities have regulations regarding overgrown weeds and demand their removal from a property that violates these regulations.
Weed abatement is done when the weeds pose a fire, health, or public safety concern. If someone reports your property, you may receive a notice that you are required to follow. Some weed control pros offer weed abatement services and will charge anywhere between $70 and $120.
Hire a pro for a weed-free yard
Getting rid of weeds in your lawn and garden can get very tiring and time-consuming, especially if you have a large yard. Instead of getting down in the dirt yourself, why not hire a lawn maintenance professional to get the dirty work done instead?
Lawn Love can connect you with a local lawn care pro that can handle not just the weeding but also the mowing, fertilization, aeration, and much more. The best part? You can sit back and enjoy your beautiful lawn while they do it.
Maria Isabela Reis contributed to this article.
Read More:
- How to Control Weeds by Type
- How to Make Homemade Weed Killer
- How to Identify and Control Grassy Weeds
- How to Identify and Control Broadleaf Weeds
Note: Lawn Love may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.
Main Image Credit: Natalia / Adobe Stock
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