Get matched with top weed maintenance pros in Cape Charles, VA

No, it's not really possible to completely prevent weed growth. Weeds are incredibly resilient—all they usually need is a tiny bit of dirt to sprout, so their eventual appearance is pretty much inevitable. However, you can definitely keep them at bay by getting rid of weeds as soon as you notice them. The longer you let them sit and grow roots, the more they'll spread.

Glyphosate and other non-selective herbicides can kill orchard grass, but they will also kill the surrounding plants. Also, not all areas allow the use of glyphosate due to its environmental impact—which the EPA describes as a "potential risk to terrestrial and aquatic plants and birds, and low toxicity to honeybees." Consider mechanical removal to target the plants specifically.

It’s not legal to intentionally damage a neighbor’s tree. Even if the roots of a tree encroach into your yard, if you damage or kill a tree that belongs to your neighbor, you can be held liable for the damage in most cases. Since herbicides can spread through the tree, causing damage to the whole tree and not just the roots that are on your side of the property line, you shouldn’t poison your neighbor’s tree. The other downside to this method is that if the tree dies, it can fall onto your property and cause more damage, so herbicides are best avoided in this circumstance.

Weed control applications usually cost around $100 each for a standard-size yard, and most professionals charge between $30 and $60 per hour for manual weed removal. Your total is affected most by the size of the weeded area. Some weed service companies offer weed control treatments, selective herbicide spraying, and manual removal and upkeep as part of a package, costing around $600 annually. You might pay less if you hire the same company for other lawn services, like flower bed upkeep, aeration, overseeding, and pesticide application.