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
- Penoxsulam (CAS 219714-96-2)
- Chemical class
- Triazolopyrimidine sulfonamide; WSSA Group 2 acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor.[2][1]
- Mode of action
- WSSA Group 2: Acetolactate synthase (ALS) / AHAS inhibitors (triazolopyrimidines)[2][1]
- Signal word
- Penoxsulam 04 Fert (sold as Scotts Turf Builder Bonus S Southern Weed & Feed 5): Caution[1]
Lawns and plants to keep it off
Don't use it on dichondra, carpetgrass, bahiagrass or lawns where you want to keep clover. Centipede must be green and actively growing, not winter dormant.[1]
Keep granules away from flowers, shrubs, trees and other broadleaf plants, which can be seriously injured. Newly sodded, sprigged or plugged warm-season grass needs a four-week wait.[1]
What to do with clippings
Residues in treated grass clippings could harm some plants and trees, so don't collect them for mulch. Lawn services must give residents this warning in writing.[1]
Where it is used
Spread it in the morning while dew is on the lawn, or sprinkle with under ¼ inch of water first, so granules stick to weed leaves. Then skip watering and mowing for about 24 hours.[1]
Mow two to three days before applying. If the lawn is dry and stressed, give it at least ½ inch of water one to two days ahead.[1]
Small, actively growing weeds in spring or early fall respond best. A heavy infestation may need a second pass in about 30 days, spaced at least four weeks from the first.[1]
On warm-season lawns in hot, dry, humid weather, the label recommends cutting the rate in half to avoid browning.[1]
Products and registrations
| Product | Registrant | EPA Reg. No. | Active % | Formulation | Signal word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penoxsulam 04 Fert (sold as Scotts Turf Builder Bonus S Southern Weed & Feed 5)[1] | The Scotts Company | 538-335 | 0.04% | granular weed and feed (herbicide on fertilizer) | Caution |
Label rates
| Product | Use | Pests | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penoxsulam 04 Fert (sold as Scotts Turf Builder Bonus S Southern Weed & Feed 5) | Established home lawns: St. Augustine, centipede, zoysia, bermuda, seashore paspalum and listed cool-season grasses | Dollarweed, white clover, dandelion, chickweed, henbit, spotted spurge, ground ivy, wild violet and other broadleaf weeds; nutsedge and kyllinga suppression | 1.2–3.4 lb product per 1,000 sq ft[1] Warm-season grasses can take up to 3.4 lb, cool-season grasses up to 2.3 lb, and perennial ryegrass or tall fescue only 1.2 lb per application. No more than two applications a season and 5.1 lb per 1,000 sq ft a year. |
Safety and environmental hazards
People
Signal word CAUTION: causes moderate eye irritation. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, shoes and socks, and wash with soap and water after handling.[1]
Pets
Keep people and pets out of the area while you spread it, and don't let them back in until the dust has settled.[1]
Bees and pollinators
The label includes no bee or pollinator statement. It is a granule spread on lawn grass, and it warns against contact with flowers, shrubs and other desirable broadleaf plants.[1]
Fish and water
Keep granules out of storm drains, ditches, gutters and surface water. Sweep any that land on driveways, sidewalks or streets back onto the lawn, and apply in calm weather with no rain forecast for 24 hours.[1]
Common questions
- Is penoxsulam weed and feed safe on St. Augustine grass?
- St. Augustinegrass is on the label's list of established warm-season grasses, at up to 3.4 lb of product per 1,000 sq ft per application.[1]
- Should I apply weed and feed to a wet or dry lawn?
- Wet. The label says to apply in the morning when dew is present so particles stick to leaves, then avoid watering for 24 hours.[1]
- Does it kill nutsedge?
- Only partly. Purple and yellow nutsedge and kyllinga are listed for suppression, and re-treatment may be necessary.[1]
Sources
- U.S. EPA Pesticide Product Label System, “Penoxsulam 04 Fert (Scotts Turf Builder Bonus S Southern Weed & Feed 5) label, EPA Reg. No. 538-335 (EPA-stamped, Sept. 18, 2018).” www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/000538-00335-20180918.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Weed Science Society of America, “Summary of Herbicide Mechanism of Action According to the Weed Science Society of America.” wssa.net/wp-content/uploads/WSSA-Mechanism-of-Action.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)