The label is the law. Rates and restrictions below are taken from the product labels listed under Sources. Your product's own label governs; read it before you mix or apply. Mixing calculator · Disclaimer
- Active ingredient
- Ammonium nonanoate (pelargonic acid, ammonium salt)
- Chemical class
- A soap product. The label says it penetrates plant cell walls and mixes cell contents, which turns tissue brown.[1]
- Mode of action
- Contact soap herbicide that disrupts plant cells; it is not named in the WSSA mechanism-of-action summary[1]
- Signal word
- AXXE Home and Garden Herbicide (also sold as BioSafe Weed & Grass Killer, BioSafe Weed Control and AXXE Weed Killer): Warning[1]
Burndown, not a root killer
The label says it doesn't move through soil, isn't carried through the plant, and leaves no residual to stop new seedlings. Bigger weeds, perennials and some grasses may need several sprays.[1]
Dandelion, bermudagrass, field bindweed, yellow nutsedge and common ragweed are rated moderately difficult and call for a 13 to 15% mix.[1]
Where it is used
Spray only dry weeds, never ones wet from dew, rain or watering. Don't water within 2 hours afterward, and skip it if rain is expected within 2 hours.[1]
Soak the leaves and stems until spray just starts to run off; complete, even coverage matters. Leaves usually turn brown or black within one to two hours.[1]
Use low pressure, around 10 to 15 psi, to cut foaming and drift. Don't go above a 15% mix in a pressure sprayer.[1]
Keep spray off green leaves, green stems and green bark of plants you want, including young trees and shrubs. A shielded nozzle helps in tight spots.[1]
Products and registrations
| Product | Registrant | EPA Reg. No. | Active % | Formulation | Signal word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AXXE Home and Garden Herbicide (also sold as BioSafe Weed & Grass Killer, BioSafe Weed Control and AXXE Weed Killer)[1] | BioSafe Systems, LLC | 70299-25 | 40.0% | liquid concentrate | Warning |
Label rates
| Product | Use | Pests | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXXE Home and Garden Herbicide (also sold as BioSafe Weed & Grass Killer, BioSafe Weed Control and AXXE Weed Killer) | Unwanted vegetation around homes, gardens, ornamentals, turf edges and walkways | Annual and perennial broadleaf weeds, grasses, moss, liverworts and algae | 8–19.2 fl oz product per gallon of finished spray[1] 6 to 8% (8 to 10 fl oz per gallon) for weeds 1 inch or less, moss and liverworts; 8 to 10% for weeds 1 to 4 inches; 10 to 13% (13 to 16 fl oz) for taller or hard weeds. 15% (19.2 fl oz) is the maximum. |
Safety and environmental hazards
People
Signal word WARNING: causes substantial but temporary eye irritation, so wear goggles. It is harmful if inhaled and causes moderate skin irritation; avoid breathing spray mist and keep it off skin and clothing.[1]
Pets
The label's hazards to humans and domestic animals are the eye, skin and breathing warnings. Don't let the spray contact people directly or through drift.[1]
Bees and pollinators
Toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment or residues on blooming weeds. Don't spray while bees are visiting the area.[1]
Fish and water
Toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Keep it out of storm drains, gutters, ditches and surface water.[1]
Common questions
- Is ammonium nonanoate organic?
- The AXXE Home and Garden label is marked for organic gardening and residential use, and not for food use.[1]
- Will it kill weeds down to the roots?
- No. It is a contact herbicide that isn't carried through the plant, so perennial weeds can regrow from roots or stems and need repeat sprays.[1]
- How much BioSafe Weed & Grass Killer per gallon?
- 8 to 19.2 fl oz per gallon of spray depending on weed size, with 13 to 16 fl oz suggested for most situations.[1]
Sources
- U.S. EPA Pesticide Product Label System, “AXXE Home and Garden Herbicide label, EPA Reg. No. 70299-25 (EPA-stamped, Apr. 12, 2019).” www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/070299-00025-20190412.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)