Which weed killers contain triclopyr?

Not all herbicides are created equal. Some herbicides kill indiscriminately, while others target certain plants. Triclopyr, registered for use in 1979, targets broadleaved weeds and woody brush without killing grasses and conifers. Herbicides containing triclopyr are particularly useful over large areas such as golf courses and roadsides, where targeting individual weeds would be inefficient. Tridopyr has a low environmental impact, and is slightly toxic to quail, ducks and fish. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and Dow AgroSciences both manufacture herbicides containing triclopyr.

While the Dow AgroSciences tridopyr products are labelled for use in commercial and industrial applications, there are other products suitable for home use. According to the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company's website, it makes two products that contain triclopyr and are recommended for home use. Ortho Weed-B-Gon contains 8 per cent triclopyr in the form of triethylamine salt. Weed-B-Gone kills broadleaved weeds without harming certain lawn grasses. Ortho MAX Poison Ivy and Tough Brush Killer contains 0.7 per cent triclopyr and is formulated to kill woody plants and vines. According to the product labelling, Ortho MAX Poison Ivy and Tough Brush Killer is effective on plants such as poison ivy, poison oak and kudzu.

Dow AgroSciences manufactures several products that contain triclopyr as their only active ingredient. Pathfinder II, Turflon, Release, Garlon 3A and Garlon 4 all are triclopyr-based herbicides. The main differences between the five products are the concentrations of triclopyr and the carrier compounds. Aside from the triclopyr, the products also contain kerosene, ethanol, petroleum distillates or natural oil solvents as carrier compounds. Pathfinder II, Turflon, Release, Garlon 3A and Garlon 4 are industrial products and are for use on roadsides, on large-scale areas and for defoliation of woods.

Dow AgroSciences manufactures three products that combine triclopyr with additional active ingredients. Access herbicide contains picloram in addition to triclopyr. Crossbow speciality herbicide is a formulation of triclopyr and 2,4-D ester. Confront speciality herbicide uses a combination of triclopyr and clopyralid. According to the product profiles on the Dow AgroSciences website, Access herbicide is for use in commercial and industrial areas; Crossbow speciality herbicide is for use in livestock grazing areas; and Confront speciality herbicide is for weed control in parks and golf courses.