You should understand that there is an alternative to having weeds. The alternative is to not have weeds. I live in the south and have a type of grass that almost completely pushes out weeds, IF you are watering, mowing, and fertilizing properly. For people who get weeds in their St Augustine, one spray with atrazine in mid April usually takes out all the weeds for the rest of the year. No tools are needed.

In the north the grass variety called Kentucky bluegrass can be practically weed free but with a different herbicide. Again, no tools needed.

This is not the universal reply to your issue. Weeds are a problem for most home owners, because they don't know how to keep (most of) them out the easy way.

Your survey is screwed up.

• Do you have any impairments that would restrict you from maintaining a clean yard? - There should be a "None"/"No" option. I can see the presentation now: "100% of our respondents said they have some sort of impairment preventing them from maintaining a clean yard!"
• Do you use any tools to weed your yard? Should not be required unless you responded "Yes" to the "Do you weed your lawn question"
• If you could improve one lawn care tool, what would it be? "None" or "Other" option required, or make it an optional question
• How would you improve one of these tools to make it better and/or more efficient? Make it an optional question since people may have selected "None" to the above.

The best weed control tool is weed prevention. Pre-emergents can prevent weed seeds from germinating. Other herbicides can kill existing weeds. Keeping a dense cover of grass through proper watering, mowing, and fertilizing will help prevent weeds. Rakes and shovels are not used on weeds. I use my hands to pull weeds that have sneaked in.