Moss can be a persistent annoyance around your home that can result in structural damage. It might be found on the roof of your house or on your lawn, patio, or driveway. To ensure that you combat the problem before it interferes with the well-being of your property, it’s essential to seek out the best moss killers.
Moss killers are beneficial for removing the moisture that non-vascular plants leave behind. In addition, moss may cause allergies and release toxic compounds into the air that we breathe, so eliminating it can be helpful to you as well as your property.
I recommend taking your time and considering this review to understand the pros and cons of the different types of moss treatments available today. Below, I will help you select the best products for your roof, lawn, patio, and driveway. I will also review products that can kill moss anywhere and everywhere.
- Different Types of Moss Killers
- Most Effective Moss Killers Reviewed
- 1. Moss Out Lawn Granules
- 2. Scotts Turf Builder Moss Control
- 3. Moss Out Roof & Walkways
- 4. Wet & Forget Roof and Siding Cleaner
- 5. Lilly Miller Moss Out Spot Treater
- 6. Scotts MossEx 3-in-1 Ready-Spray, 32 oz
- 7. Alpha Chemicals' Ferrous Sulfate Heptahydrate Moss Killer
- 8. Bonide MossMax Moss Killer, Ready to Spray
- How To Use Moss Control Treatments
- Final Verdict On The Best Moss Killers
- FAQs
Different Types of Moss Killers
There are many different moss killer products available. It’s essential to find a product appropriate for the surface or material you want to treat to avoid any potential damage. Here’s a rundown of the most obvious places you’ll find moss growing around your property:
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Roof Treatments
Roofing normally consists of slate, tiles, or thatch. It’s important to find a product that is pH neutral to avoid damaging the roof in the process of eliminating moss.
Once you apply the product to a dry roof, it will begin to work on eliminating the lichen and spores so that the moss doesn’t return. Typically, you will have to rinse the dead moss and product off of the roof after a couple of hours.
Many roof moss killers include water-repellent properties to keep your roof from absorbing water and developing moss. If you find a product with both moss-killing and water-repelling properties, it’s a great investment for a long-term solution.
Lawn Treatments
Moss in lawns can be the sign of an underlying issue such as:
- Acidic Soil
- Lack of fertilizer
- Poor drainage
- Heavy foot traffic
- Shady areas
A moss killer containing ferrous sulfate (sulfate of iron) is most effective in eradicating moss in lawns. For lawns with grass that seems dull and lacking, moss killers containing fertilizer can be effective. These products are typically applied in autumn or spring.
Patio Treatments
Covered patios provide the perfect environment for moss to grow. Moss tends to flourish in environments that are shady with poor air circulation, allowing wood or other materials to stay damp.
While lawn moss killers rely on iron-based substances, these can leave rust-like surface stains on your patio. Because of this, it’s important to use a moss killer specific to patios. Products containing the active ingredient zinc sulfate monohydrate kill moss without leaving stains or damaging patio materials.
Driveway Treatments
Much like moss killers for patios, driveway treatments also use the active ingredient zinc sulfate monohydrate. Because of its ability to eliminate moss on surfaces without leaving stains, it is perfect for driveways and other concrete surfaces.
Some driveway moss killers contain acid, so it is important to use them outdoors in an open space away from your home. The fumes tend to be pungent, so using them on a roof or patio could cause the fumes to leak into your home.
Most Effective Moss Killers Reviewed
With so many options out there, it’s hard to narrow down the playing field. After all, who doesn’t want a product that is effective, efficient, and won’t end up causing further damage?
Below, I’ve narrowed down my top choices for the best moss killers on the market:
1. Moss Out Lawn Granules
Lilly Miller Moss Out Granules are my top pick to get rid of moss. It’s extremely efficient at its job, which helps prevent this stubborn plant from spreading to the lawn, patio, and driveway.
I found the spray-on application doesn’t need much time or prolonged usage to work its magic. In fact, it typically only requires 24 hours from direct application or spraying to eliminate the moss and create a moss-free zone once again! View Lilly Miller Moss Killer Granules from Amazon.com
Its effectiveness is thanks to the product’s fast-acting formula of 32% ferrous sulfate monohydrate and 68% calcium carbonate. Ferrous sulfate is highly potent, so it’s just as capable of slowing moss growth as it is at killing it.
A 27 oz jug of this product is able to clear moss from 500 square feet of space. However, if the moss is in a shady or damp area, the killer may not work as effectively.
Pros
- No stains or surface corrosion
- Easy to apply and use
- Remains effective for up to a year
Cons
- May struggle to work on roofs in shaded areas
- Sometimes doesn’t produce great results with established moss
- Doesn’t work well during the rainy season
2. Scotts Turf Builder Moss Control
Scotts Turf Builder Moss Control is a great product for your lawn, especially during autumn or spring. Why? Well, moss tends to grow substantially during these seasons due to the cool and damp temperatures.
The remarkable thing about Scotts Turf Builder is its impact on grass. I was really happy to see how it thickened up the green stuff after application, letting all those unsightly bare spots fill up on the lawn. In fact, it didn’t stop there, as it also helped give the lawn a helping hand at absorbing water and nutrients. So, not only does it slow down moss growth, but it goes a long way to replenishing lawns. Click here for Scotts Turf Builder Moss Control.
It owes its impact to a formula that allows it to be tough on the moss but gentle on your lawn. To use this product, you’ll need to cut any long grass before applying it so that all that low-growing moss can be exposed. Yes, that means it may take a bit of extra work. But I thought it was worth it to be able to clear out my walkways quickly!
Pros
- Thickens grass, thus enabling it to grow and spread to fill all bare spots
- Tough on moss but gentle on lawns
- Comes in two sizes: 5,000 square feet and 10,000 square feet
Cons
- Improper use could burn the lawn and make it look slimy
- On the pricier side
- Doesn’t cover the entire 5,000 square feet
3. Moss Out Roof & Walkways
Has moss invaded your roof, patio, pavers, and walkways? Lilly Miller Moss Out has a liquid solution perfect for easy application.
How does it work so well against moss? It owes much to its use of ammoniated soap of fatty acids, its most active ingredient. These fatty acids break through surfaces, causing an incredibly fast loss of moisture.
As this happens, the moss dries out and eventually dies. Apart from the fatty acids, zinc sulfate monohydrate gives you an extra advantage as it lets you take care of the unwanted moss with military precision. Click here for Lilly Miller Moss Out
Pros
- Gets to hard-to-reach parts of the roof and driveways
- Works most effectively in non-shaded areas
- Non-staining formula kills moss in hours
Cons
- Won’t cover more than 500 square feet
- Works best when moss is damp
- Doesn’t work well unless moss is in direct sunlight
4. Wet & Forget Roof and Siding Cleaner
When I look for a moss killer, I always consider whether the product is going to make getting rid of moss a more forgiving task. So, when I saw Wet & Forget Roof and Siding Cleaner, I knew I had to find out if it really can make life easier. From the get-go, it became apparent that it was not only great at removing moss but worked well in dealing with mold, algae, and mildew growth.
The non-acidic moss killer doesn’t bleach surfaces and requires no scrubbing or rinsing to remove the moss after it’s eliminated. Compared to other moss removers, this product is really effective if you have any moss on roofs, elevated surfaces, or other hard-to-reach areas. Check Wet & Forget Roof And Siding Cleaner at Amazon.com
Wet & Forget has produced an outstanding moss remover, with unmatched coverage, and a well-designed nozzle that’ll allow you to access surfaces up to 30 feet high.
Pros
- Easy to spray cleaner; no scrubbing or rinsing
- Sprays areas up to 30 feet high
- Covers an area up to 2000 square feet
Cons
- May take longer to remove all the moss completely
- Sometimes leaves an annoying drippy soap slime behind
- Can be impossible to remove from certain plants that it lands on
5. Lilly Miller Moss Out Spot Treater
The most active ingredient in Lilly Miller Moss Out Spot Treater is ferrous sulfate monohydrate. This chemical compound is responsible for the eradication of all manners of moss from the lawn.
What’s more, it leaves lawns with a much deeper green lush due to having 10% iron. It works stunningly well on flowerbeds, and you should expect to see the first results in just a matter of hours.
To use it, you simply shake the canister and apply. Because of this, I’d rate it as one of the most easy-to-use moss killers. Moreover, this product only weighs 3 lbs, making it easier to carry around my lawn and vegetable patch to target moss. View Lilly Miller Moss Out Spot Treater here.
Pros
- Works within a few hours of spraying
- Iron leaves the grass looking greener
- Easy-to-use shaker canister that isn’t heavy
Cons
- Limited to lawns, vegetable gardens, and flowerbeds only
- Only covers 600 square feet
- May need an extra bottle if you have a large amount of moss
6. Scotts MossEx 3-in-1 Ready-Spray, 32 oz
Scotts MossEx 3-in-1 is another potent spray that you can use to remove all the moss from any surface in your home or office space. The product is premixed, saving you time and energy.
If you live in surroundings overrun with moss, mildew, algae, or mold, Scotts MossEx offers a perfect solution for removing all of those at once. This saves you from going back to the market to buy different products for separate problems. Plus, you won’t have to worry about dangerous chemicals accidentally mixing as you spray your yard.
Scotts MossEx also stands out for its fast-acting formula. Unlike others, you don’t have to wait for days or weeks to start seeing the results. A few hours is all that it takes to get to work. However, what I appreciate most is that it doesn’t leave stains on your property. Scotts MossEx 3-in-1 can be found here
Unfortunately, if you need to use this in a large yard, you may need more than one bottle. Also, the product won’t work when it’s hot out, so you need to make sure it’s under 85 degrees before you spray.
Pros
- Starts killing moss within a few hours of spraying
- Comes already mixed and ready to use
- Won’t leave a stain behind
Cons
- Can’t use when the temperature is over 85°F
- Only covers 500 square feet
7. Alpha Chemicals’ Ferrous Sulfate Heptahydrate Moss Killer
Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate is a garden fertilizer produced by Alpha Chemicals. Among its many benefits is its ability to eliminate moss quickly and efficiently. A small amount of this soluble killer mixed with warm water is enough to do unimaginable damage to the colony of moss that threatens to take over your space.
When using ferrous sulfate, it takes roughly an hour for the moss to start blackening and eventually die. After a couple of days, the population of moss will be significantly reduced, leaving your garden or patio clear.
However, this solution may not work well on rainy days as the extra water may dilute and rinse off the iron. Instead, it only produces the desired results on dry and still days. This product is safe to use — at the recommended dose — on trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables, so you don’t need to be too careful when you apply it.
The only parts that are a drawback to me are its smell and the stain it can leave behind. While your plants will look greener, your garden may stink of rust, and if it gets on light-colored cement walkways, it may leave a reddish-brown stain in its wake. Click to view more details of Alpha Chemicals’ Ferrous Sulfate Heptahydrate here
Pros
- Better quality than non-soluble iron-based products
- Leaves grass and foliage looking greener
- Starts working within an hour and is done in around two days
Cons
- Doesn’t smell great
- Capable of leaving iron stains behind
8. Bonide MossMax Moss Killer, Ready to Spray
Bonide MossMax is one of the best moss killers on the market, so it made sense to include it on my list. It controls moss, mold, algae, and mildew. It also goes a step further to eradicate spores, which will keep moss from redeveloping or spreading to other parts of your home.
This product is specifically designed for outdoor use. For this reason, it’s one of the most potent for clearing moss from lawns. It works well on roofs, decks, stucco, siding, shingles, and ornamental gardens. It doesn’t come with a hand sprayer but the bottle directly attaches to your hose, making the application even easier.
The main ingredient is potassium soap of fatty acids, also known as soap salts. They’ve been a major ingredient in many herbicides since about 1947. They’re one of the most useful herbicides because not all plants find them toxic, so they won’t destroy your lawn. Check availability for Bonide MossMax Moss Killer here.
One of the major attractions of this product is its suitability for use all year round. Unlike others that only work during spring or autumn under favorable conditions, Bonide MossMax kills moss throughout the year. Of course, it works best in spring and autumn but that doesn’t mean it won’t knock moss out in other seasons too.
Pros
- Best results in spring or fall, but suitable all-year-round
- Comes as an easy-to-use spray
- Ideal for lawns, roofs, decks, and patios
Cons
- Strong odor therefore only suitable for well vetilated outdoor use
- Won’t work unless you water the lawn or wait for light rain
How To Use Moss Control Treatments
Now that you have read all about my top choices for the best moss killers, you should learn how to use them to give you the best results possible.
Applying Moss Killers to Turf Grass
The best time to treat lawn moss is in the autumn or spring when moss is actively growing. Moss control products containing iron and naturally occurring iron substances, like ferrous sulfate, draw out moisture, so the moss dries up.
To effectively treat your lawn, you should first rake your lawn and try to lift as much moss as possible. Afterward, you can apply lawn moss killers by hand or with a push-along spreader to the remaining moss. It’s important not to apply too high of a rate, as it may blacken and kill your grass along with the moss.
You should also be sure to apply an even coating across your entire lawn. Applying lawn moss killer can change the pH level of your soil, so if you don’t apply it evenly, you may end up with pH variations in your soil. This can result in uneven grass growth.
After applying moss killer, wait for the moss to turn black and then rake the remaining moss up. It may be necessary to apply another treatment. If you do so, be sure to wait a few weeks for your lawn to recover before reapplying. Reapplying too quickly may kill your grass.
Once you’ve rid your lawn of moss, you should safely dispose of it to avoid spreading the spores.
Permanently Getting Rid of Moss in Your Yard
Your yard needs all the care and maintenance it can get to remain healthy and green. Moss may create a patchy appearance in your garden. Getting rid of the moss in your yard is one way of ensuring that it remains admirably attractive and lush. Your first task is to address the conditions that make it possible for moss to thrive.
According to the University of Illinois, some factors that can encourage moss growth include:
- Excessively watering or not watering enough
- Excessive shade
- Poor condition of the soil
- Infertile or acidic soil
- Heavy foot traffic
- Poor turf health
- Poor air circulation
- Irregular mowing
Normally, the procedures used in getting rid of moss from the lawn would also apply here. These include raking and dethatching. Installation of a dethatching blade on your mower would help deeply penetrate your yard, allowing you to uproot the moss.
Look for products that contain ferrous sulfate, fatty acids, or potassium soap to kill the moss and prevent it from re-establishing itself in your yard. Consider using multiple treatments in order to fully rid yourself of the moss and all of its spores. If spores remain, it is likely that the moss will regrow, forcing you to start the entire process over again.
If the solution requires you to remove some grass, you should also consider replanting some grass seeds to take care of the bare spaces. Remember, those bare spots could create the conditions that moss needs to thrive in your yard.
The best time to apply a treatment is in early spring, which will allow your yard time to recover. If you are planning to sow new grass seeds, this will also allow the perfect conditions for your seeds to flourish and grow during the warmer spring months.
If you use ferrous sulfate, you should remember that it could have a negative effect on concrete driveways and patios. It’s capable of staining surfaces, so it should only be applied to your lawn for moss removal. Lawn care and maintenance products are good solutions, but you should always use safety equipment and take the following precautions:
- Wear proper clothing
- Put on protective equipment
- Follow the correct application procedures
- Comply with the instructed safety precautions
Removing Moss From Roofs and Buildings
Roofs are one of the most well-known locations for moss to form. For this reason, it’s important to know how to get rid of moss from your roof to avoid structural damage to your property. To do this, you should employ different types of tools and equipment, such as:
- Extension ladders
- Safety glasses
- Safety ropes
- Garden hoses
- Rubber gloves
- Soft-bristled brush for scrubbing
- Pump or backpack weed sprayers
- Spray nozzles
- Moss remover
Begin with applying the cleaning solution to the affected areas of your roof. This will help you remove a portion of the moss with a bit of scrubbing, brushing, and hosing. You’ll want to use the solution on a cool day to prevent it from evaporating too quickly before it can take effect.
Some solutions require a resting period of anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days, so be sure to read the instructions for your specific product. Once your solution has taken effect and entirely killed the moss, you will most likely need to spray the dead moss off of your roof.
Once you’ve completed the process, it’s a good idea to consider some preventative measures to keep the moss from returning. An excellent solution for this involves the installation of either copper or zinc on the roof.
Zinc strips work by releasing zinc particles slowly every time it rains. When the rainwater runs off of the strips and onto your ceiling, the zinc inhibits the growth and development of moss or other organic materials on your roof.
Alternatively, regularly applying treatments to your roof, pruning nearby trees, or choosing a metal roof can prevent the growth of moss.
Final Verdict On The Best Moss Killers
At the end of the day, the most effective way of resolving excessive moss growth is by investing in the right products.
By using the proper solutions for different material types, you can ensure that you are keeping your property safe from structural damage and avoiding allergens or impurities in the surrounding air. You’ll also be improving the appearance of your yard and home with just a little extra effort.
If you’re concerned about the growth of mold on your property, trying any of the above treatments is sure to garner the effects that you’d expect from the best moss killers on the market today.
So, what will it be? Do you need Lilly Miller Moss Killer Granules, the fast-acting attack and prevention treatment for stubborn moss found in lawns, patios, and driveways?
Or is it Scotts Turf Builder Moss Control that you need? A great product for ridding your lawn of moss and helping to replenish and re-build your lawn to cover up all those unsightly bare spots that are often left behind.
How about Lilly Miller Moss Out for roofs and walkways? This fast-acting moss killer will clear away moss without leaving any unsightly marks or stains and works not only on roofs and walkways but also patios, driveways, and decked areas.
FAQs
If you still have some questions about using moss killers on your property, I’m here to help. I’ve included a list of the most common questions, along with some answers to help you solve any queries you may still have.
