Pull small crabgrass plants by hand when soil is moist, removing roots
Mow grass high to help turf shade out crabgrass
Water deeply and infrequently to encourage thick lawn growth
Overseed thin areas to reduce open soil where crabgrass germinates
Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring before seeds sprout
Apply a post-emergent crabgrass killer labeled safe for your lawn type
Repeat treatment if new crabgrass appears later in the season
Remove crabgrass before it produces seeds
Keep lawn fertilized according to soil test recommendations
Reseed bare spots after crabgrass is removed