Pistol Total Residual Herbicide

Out of stock: see our alternative, Chikara Weed Killer (Residual Herbicide).

PISTOL® is a barrier-acting, non-selective residual herbicide. It controls a wide range of annual and perennial broad-leaved weeds and grasses on soft and gravel surfaces in amenity situations.

Professional product notice

This is a professional pesticide. The purchaser and end users are responsible for ensuring it is used in line with the industry Approved Codes of Practice, and all operators must be trained and certificated to use and apply any Ministry-approved professional product.

Product benefits

• One application gives rapid knockdown, and the barrier action then prevents germination for several months
• Suitable for gravel and soft surfaces
• Rainfast within 1 hour
• Classified as non-hazardous and non-irritant for the operator
• Two complementary active ingredients give a fast effect, seen within 8-10 days

How Pistol works

The two active ingredients in PISTOL have complementary modes of action.

Diflufenican (DFF) is extremely hydrophobic. Once applied, it binds to the surface and forms a barrier that blocks weed germination; because it repels water, it stays in place rather than washing away.

Glyphosate is a translocated contact herbicide. It is absorbed through the foliage and moves through the whole plant, and it works only on weeds that have already emerged, killing seedlings and established plants.

Application information

PISTOL is applied at a low dose rate of 4.5L/ha, which keeps product use and packaging waste down.

Recommended dilution rates

Use areas

PISTOL may be used on soft and gravel amenity surfaces. These areas include:

• Industrial areas
• Fence lines
• Around obstacles (street furniture, signage)
• Beneath pylons
• Road edges
• Tree ringing mature trees
• Open soil areas
• Shrub beds (targeted spot treatment)
• Nurseries (targeted spot treatment)

Application timing

Apply PISTOL post-emergence of weeds at any time from March until the end of September, provided that the weeds are actively growing. Annual broad-leaved weeds should have at least two fully exposed leaves, and annual grasses should be at the one leaf growth stage or beyond. Some perennial weeds, including Docks, Perennial Sow Thistle and Willowherb, are best treated just before flowering or the setting of seed.

Directions for use

PISTOL is a water-based suspension concentrate formulation containing 250g/l glyphosate and 40g/l diflufenican.

PISTOL has foliar-absorbed, translocated activity, combined with soil-acting properties, providing pre-emergence weed control.

The product is applied post-emergence to control a wide range of annual and perennial broad-leaved weeds and grasses on porous surfaces on land not intended to bear vegetation.

Weeds controlled

PISTOL has a broad spectrum of activity. It gives initial knockdown and thereafter residual control of a wide variety of broadleaved weeds and narrow-leaved weeds. Some examples of these weeds include Common Daisy, Groundsel, Cranesbill, Dandelion, Forget-me-not, Ragwort, Reddead-nettle, Rose Bay Willow Herb, Thistles, Speedwell and Annual Meadowgrass. PISTOL controls these weeds for a period of over 6 months.

Operator safety

PISTOL is classified as non-hazardous and non-irritant to the operator under CHIP 3 and COSHH regulations. It is a water-based, non-solvent formulation.

Tree safety

PISTOL is safe to use around mature street trees. It remains near the surface of the soil, with little or no lateral movement, so it does not come into contact with tree roots.

Efficacy

PISTOL has a wide spectrum of activity against problematic species. The synergy between its two active ingredients gives a faster effect than a straight glyphosate application: with glyphosate alone, effects on broad-leaved perennials are normally seen 14-21 days after application (depending on conditions), whereas with PISTOL they are normally seen 8-10 days after application. With straight glyphosate formulations, weeds soon regrow after treatment; the diflufenican barrier in PISTOL inhibits regrowth and maintains weed control for up to 9 months after treatment.

Environmental profile

PISTOL’s two active ingredients have a favourable environmental profile and are both well-established herbicides.

On application, diflufenican moves quickly from water to soil, where it binds strongly to organic matter. This means that, while it remains an active herbicide in the soil, it does not reach water or contaminate the wider environment; like all herbicides, it biodegrades into organic components over time. Glyphosate is well suited to amenity situations and is widely used for this reason. It is readily dissipated in the environment, leaving no harmful residues.

Usage window

PISTOL may only be used between 1 February and 31 July.

Pack details

• Pack size: 5 Litre
• Application rate: 4.5L/Ha
• Active ingredients: 250g/L Glyphosate; 40g/L Diflufenican