Dollarweed
Round, coin-like leaves that thrive with too much water. UGA advises fixing irrigation and drainage first; full eradication is often unattainable. Herbicide choices vary by grass type.
Weed Control & Fertilization in Savannah, GA
Request free quotes from independent local lawn treatment companies for pre-emergent, weed control and fertilization programs suited to centipede, St. Augustine, zoysia and bermuda lawns.
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Treatment that matches coastal grass
Weed control and fertilization on the Georgia coast is not the same as in the rest of the country. Savannah's lawns are mostly warm-season grasses — centipede, St. Augustine, zoysia and bermuda — growing in sandy, acidic soils that leach nitrogen during heavy summer rain. Too much fertilizer at the wrong time can hurt more than it helps, and the wrong herbicide can damage the turf it is meant to protect.
We connect Savannah-area homeowners with independent local lawn care, landscaping and tree companies for free, no-obligation quotes. The company you choose quotes, contracts and does the work directly with you. Savannah GA Lawn Care does not apply pesticides or fertilizer and does not recommend specific products. The company you choose plans and applies any treatment.
Check the Georgia pesticide license first
In Georgia, a business that applies pesticides — including weed killers, weed-and-feed, insect, fire ant or mosquito treatments — to someone else's property for a fee needs a Pesticide Contractor License from the Georgia Department of Agriculture, with a certified commercial applicator on staff (O.C.G.A. § 2-7-99). Lawn and shrub work falls under applicator Category 24 (Ornamental and Turf); mosquito control is Category 41. Ask for the license number and check it with the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
Bug treatments around the home's foundation fall under Georgia's Structural Pest Control Act — ask for the company's structural pest control license.
This is general information, not legal advice.
This applies to weed killer, weed-and-feed products, fire ant bait and lawn insect treatments, whether the product is sold to homeowners or restricted. Homeowners treating their own lawn are not covered by the contractor rule. The Georgia lawn care license guide goes through what to ask.
Pre-emergent timing on the coast
Pre-emergent herbicides stop crabgrass and goosegrass seeds before they sprout, so timing is everything. UGA Extension advises applying in south Georgia before the soil reaches 55 °F, about February 15 to March 15; on the coast, mid-February is the target. Because Savannah's median last spring freeze is March 2, soil often warms before the lawn looks awake. Current soil temperatures are on the UGA Weather Network at georgiaweather.net.
A typical program asks the company to confirm the target weeds, the product's labeled turf types and whether a second, follow-up application is planned.
Fertilizing centipede: less is more
Centipede is one of the most common coastal lawns, and it is easy to overfeed. UGA Circular 1003 says:
- About 1 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per year is ample for established centipede; up to 2 lb on sandy, high-rainfall soils.
- Wait until the soil 4 inches down holds 65 °F before the first feeding.
- Split the total into small doses rather than one heavy application.
- Over-fertilizing is linked to centipede decline.
- South Georgia extension advice: feed after green-up and in mid-summer, and skip fall feeding.
- Centipede prefers soil pH of about 5.0–6.0; above 6.0, iron becomes less available and the grass yellows. Lime only on a soil test.
St. Augustine, zoysia and bermuda have their own needs; ask the company to explain its schedule for your grass. More detail is in the centipede care guide.
Dollarweed and other common problems
Fire ants
UGA's Two-Step Method: broadcast a labeled bait once or twice a year (fall is easiest), then treat nuisance mounds after about a week. Not near water.
Chinch bugs
Yellow-to-brown patches in hot, sunny parts of St. Augustine lawns, often mistaken for drought. Around 20–25 per square foot causes damage.
Large patch
Brown rings in fall and spring on zoysia, St. Augustine and centipede. Avoid nitrogen when soil is below 70 °F, improve drainage and water less often.
Fire ant, insect and fungicide treatments for hire fall under the same Georgia pesticide license rules described above.
What weed control and fertilization costs
No reliable local average was published for weed control or fertilization per application in Savannah, so this site does not list one — get two or three quotes. What drives the price:
- Lawn size in square feet
- How many applications the yearly program includes
- Whether pre-emergent, post-emergent spot spraying, fire ant bait or insect control is part of it
- How heavy the existing weed problem is
- Add-ons such as soil testing, lime or core aeration
Aeration and other lawn services do have published ranges on the Savannah price guide. Pair treatment with proper height on the lawn mowing page, or fix bare areas with sod installation.
Lawn treatment quotes across the area
- Pooler
- Richmond Hill
- Skidaway Island
- Wilmington Island
- Southside & Georgetown
- Midtown & Ardsley Park
- Rincon
See every location on the service areas page.
Weed control & fertilization FAQ
When should pre-emergent go down in Savannah?
UGA Extension says south Georgia lawns should get crabgrass and goosegrass pre-emergent before the soil reaches 55 °F, roughly February 15 to March 15. On the coast, aim for mid-February. Soil temperatures are posted on the UGA Weather Network at georgiaweather.net, which helps the company you choose time the application instead of guessing by the calendar.
How much nitrogen does a centipede lawn need?
Less than most people think. UGA says about 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year is ample for established centipede, up to 2 pounds on sandy, high-rainfall soils. Wait until the soil 4 inches down holds 65 °F, split the total into small doses, and skip fall feeding. Over-fertilizing is linked to centipede decline.
Can dollarweed be eliminated completely?
UGA Extension calls complete eradication often unattainable. Dollarweed thrives on excess moisture, so the first fix is cutting back irrigation and improving drainage. Labeled herbicides can reduce it, but product choice depends on your grass type, since some are restricted on certain turf. Ask the company you choose what it plans for your grass.
Does a weed control company need a license in Georgia?
Yes, if it applies pesticides, including weed killers and weed-and-feed, to your property for a fee. It needs a Pesticide Contractor License from the Georgia Department of Agriculture with a certified commercial applicator on staff (O.C.G.A. § 2-7-99). Ask for the number and check it with the department. This is general information, not legal advice.
How much does weed control and fertilization cost in Savannah?
No reliable local average was published, so this site does not quote a figure. Get two or three quotes. Price depends on lawn size, the number of applications in the program, products used, weed pressure, and whether fire ant, insect or disease treatments are included. Ask each company to list every application and what it contains.
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