Glyphosate weed killers: What are the best options on the market?
Glyphosate is the world’s most popular herbicide. Most of the popular weed killers contain it, and for good reason. It acts on all forms of vegetation, allowing you to effectively control all kinds of weeds with the same product. This makes it a ‘non-selective’ herbicide.
The secret to its versatility? Glyphosate works by blocking something called the shikimic pathway, a process that all plants use to produce proteins that are used for growth. No new proteins means no new growth and, ultimately, the demise of the plant.
However, not all glyphosate weed killers are equally effective. Although this is the principle active ingredient, a lot more goes into creating an effective weed control product. Different ingredients are added to ensure the glyphosate gets to where it needs to be, for instance - with varying levels of effectiveness.
Our Favourite Glyphosate Weed Killers
So, to help you choose a weed killer that’ll get the job done, we’ve decided to round up four of our top picks. With an experienced BASIS qualified team, it’s safe to say that we know a good weed killer when we see it. The following products are four of the best.
Roundup ProActive
Containing 360g/l of glyphosate - in line with the current professional standard - Roundup ProActive is a tried and tested product that delivers consistent results. Containing Roundup’s unique, patented blend of adjuvants, ProActive acts within two to three weeks.
Classified as non-hazardous by COSHH, ProActive is safe for humans and pets, making it a great choice for use in public places.
Roundup ProVantage
If you need something a little stronger but want to stick with the Roundup brand, ProVantage is well worth a look. Containing 480g/l of glyphosate, ProVantage is a rebranded version of ProBio, using the same formulation. This means low drift, impressive efficiency in hard water areas, and results within two to three weeks.
Like its sibling ProActive, ProVantage has been classified as non-hazardous by COSHH. It’s also suitable for use in aquatic areas as well as public spaces, making it a versatile and useful product to have on the shelf. Both it and ProActive can be used to control Japanese knotweed, either via foliar application, stem filling, stem injection or a hand-held weed wiper.
Gallup Biograde Amenity
Another popular brand is Gallup. Its products regularly come out on top in independent tests, delivering superb results on everything from driveways and paths to gravel, waterways and more. Like Roundup ProActive, it contains 360g/l of glyphosate, making it ideal for professional use. It’s safe for use in public spaces too.
Gallup Hi Aktiv Amenity
A higher concentration product similar to Roundup ProVantage, Gallup Hi Aktiv contains 490g/l of glyphosate, making it the most highly concentrated product on this list. It gets to work quickly, effectively fighting even the most stubborn of grass weeds, perennial broad-leaved weeds and woody plants. And, like Biograde, it can be used in public areas, land next to water, forests and hard surfaces.
Applying the weed killer
Once you’ve chosen a product, you’ll need suitable equipment to apply it. We would recommend using either a handheld pump sprayer or a knapsack sprayer for larger areas. If you have a lot of weeds to treat, a knapsack sprayer could save you some serious time - not to mention deliver superior results, thanks to improved coverage.
Got any questions about our range of weed killers - or how to apply them? We’re always happy to help. Get in touch today to get your questions answered!
