Jet washing can wash away weeds without bending or kneeling to pull them. However, the results will likely be fleeting because the weeds will return unless you use a stronger method that takes them out at the root. Use a jet washer for short-term weed removal, but use a stronger method if you want to get rid of weeds for good.

Ultimately, pulling weeds vs. spraying them depends on what’s happening in your yard and your personal preferences. Manual weed removal doesn’t introduce any chemicals into your landscape, targets specific problematic plants, produces immediate results, can be free if you go the DIY route, and is inexpensive with a weed service if you only have a handful of weeds. On the other hand, spraying is often preferable for severe weed infestations and situations involving difficult-to-pull weeds because it treats multiple weeds at once, is usually more effective long-term, is less time-consuming, and costs less when done by a pro.

The best time to hire a weed service company is in the early spring. This allows them to apply a pre-emergent weed killer that stops weeds from taking root, making maintenance for the rest of the season much easier. Following the initial spring application, a monthly service through the summer and early fall is a good idea for ongoing weed control. These regular treatments, combined with manual removal or spot treatment, should be sufficient to maintain a weed-free yard. Alternatively, you can hire a professional in the fall for the following year, as some companies may offer better rates on contracts signed before the busy spring season.

Dandelions, while hard to control and widespread across the country, are not typically categorized as noxious. Yellow starthistle, however, looks very similar to a dandelion and is highly damaging to local plants and invasive across the country.