An N,N-diaryl-N-alkylurea having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, cyano, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylthio, trifluoromethyl thionyl, trifluoromethane sulfonyl, sulfonamido, substituted phenoxy and substituted pyridyloxy groups wherein the substituent is any one of halogen, cyano, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylthio, trifluoromethyl thionyl, trifluoromethane sulfonyl, sulfonamido; andR.sub.5 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxylalkenyl, acetoxyalkyl, acetoxyalkenyl, mercaptoalkyl, and mercaptoalkenyl, wherein the alkyl or alkenyl group in each alkyl- or alkenyl-containing moiety has from 3 to 6 carbon atoms;X is oxygen or sulfur;and agriculturally acceptable salts thereof.Also disclosed is an herbicidal composition and method of treating weeds.