Many home remedies can be used to kill this weed, and all are safe for pets and children and are easy on the pocketbook, according to tipnut.com.
Home Remedies for Crabgrass Control
Many different crabgrass killers can be found right in your own kitchen cupboard. Vinegar is an effective crabgrass killer and can be used alone or with other household ingredients. When using vinegar, do not dilute, and be sure to use it on a clear day when there is no sign of rain. Five percent vinegar will kill baby weeds, but it is best to use 9 percent, the kind used for pickling, because it has better results in killing more mature and stubborn weeds.
Salt is another effective crabgrass killer, but using too much will damage the surrounding soil. Salt is best used where you do not want any plant growth of any kind, such as near sidewalks, driveways, beneath decks and patio blocks and around the foundation of your house. Mix a ratio of one part salt to two parts water, or, if you choose, you can drizzle the salt directly on the weeds. You can also mix 1 1/4 cups of table salt with 1 gallon of vinegar and spray where needed.
Dish liquid can be used either on its own or in combination with vinegar. Fill a spray bottle with pickling vinegar and add a squirt of dish liquid; spray on weeds during the hottest part of the day. You can also combine one part dish liquid with 10 parts water, and soak the crabgrass with the mix.
You can use lemon juice just like straight vinegar to kill the weeds. Use either straight lemon juice or mix 1/2 cup of lemon juice with 1 quart of vinegar.
Rubbing alcohol can be used to kill weeds, because it causes moisture loss from the plant cells. Simply spray it on the weeds or dab it on with a cotton ball. Deep-rooted plants may need more than one application.
An even more simple home remedy for killing crabgrass involves pouring boiling water on the weed. By doing this, you are cooking the weed to death.
When using any of these home remedies, be sure to apply them directly on the weed, as these recipes may kill surrounding grass, plants and flowers. It is also best to use these remedies on a hot sunny day when there is no sign of rain for a day or two.