How Can I Control Bermudagrass?

Do you want to try controlling bermudagrass with cultural control methods?

Do you want to control bermudagrass by drying it?

Do you want to control bermudagrass with mulches?

Do you want to try controlling bermudagrass with chemical control methods?

Do you want to control established bermudagrass?

Although bermudagrass tolerates some drought, it grows best when irrigated. If the area where the bermudagrass is growing can be dried in summer without injuring any nearby ornamentals, withhold water to dry the stems and rototill or spade the area two or three times during summer months. This will bring rhizomes to the surface where they dry out. Raking to remove rhizomes and stolons will also help. If water is applied during the process or it happens to rain, the remaining bermudagrass will regrow.

Black polyethylene applied over bermudagrass to prevent sunlight from reaching the plant can effectively control established plants. Mow and irrigate the grass, place the plastic over the plants, and leave it for at least 6 to 8 weeks in summer. Placing plastic over bermudagrass in winter will not control it. Be sure that the plastic remains intact without holes, or bermudagrass will grow through the holes and survive. If ornamentals are planted in holes in the plastic, bermudagrass control is reduced. Mulching with products such as wood chips is not effective against bermudagrass.

Solarization is effective for the eradication of bermudagrass plants and seed if it is applied during periods of high solar radiation. Before applying the plastic, closely mow the bermudagrass, remove the clippings, and water the area well. Place clear, ultraviolet (UV) protected polyethylene over the area. The plastic should extend roughly 2 feet beyond the bermudagrass stolons to make sure the infested area is covered; it must be maintained intact for 4 to 6 weeks. The shade will reduce the effectiveness of solarization because it limits the amount of radiation.

Bermudagrass can be controlled in ornamental landscapes and turf with post-emergent herbicides. Post-emergent herbicides are applied to actively growing bermudagrass foliage and stem during spring and summer. The best time to apply a particular post-emergent herbicide depends on the type of herbicide and the situation where the weedy bermudagrass is growing. Two basic types of herbicides can kill mature bermudagrass, nonselective herbicides (glyphosate) that kill most plant species and grass-selective herbicides that only kill plants in the grass family (herbicides with active ingredient sethoxydim, fluazifop, or clethodim).

If bermudagrass seeds germinate in areas around ornamental plantings, the seedlings can be controlled with shallow cultivation, hoeing, or a thin layer of mulch. On recently planted or established cool-season turfgrass, herbicides can be used to selectively control germinating bermudagrass seed without injuring the turfgrass. Apply a product containing siduron at the time of planting the turfgrass. DCPA (available to licensed pesticide applicators only), trifluralin, pendimethalin, or oryzalin can be used when the turfgrass is greening. Dithiopyr and prodiamine can be used in established turf.

Bermudagrass growth can be reduced by increasing shade from trees and tall shrubs. Shaded growth will be fine and spindly, and easier to remove than those growing in full sun. Shade from short shrubs or ground covers will not be effective as bermudagrass will simply grow up through these plants.