How to Get Rid of Bermuda Grass

Overview

Bermuda grass is an extremely aggressive and invasive plant that infests many lawns and gardens. It has an efficient system of propagation that makes it difficult to eradicate by normal means. However, there are many effective ways of removing Bermuda grass without harming other plants in the lawn. You can remove small patches manually, while you may need to smother larger patches or kill them with herbicide. Regardless of the method, determination and a little hard work will help you get rid of Bermuda grass for good.

Step 1

Mow Bermuda grass before the onset of severe winter weather. The cold temperatures will severely weaken and kill many clumps of the invasive grass. Wait until the soil is workable in early spring, and then remove any remaining Bermuda grass by hand.

Step 2

Dig up every clump of Bermuda grass possible with a spade. Remove the stem, foliage and root system to ensure it cannot spread. Continue until all of the Bermuda grass is gone. Plant flowers or shrubs in the area to take up the space and prevent Bermuda grass from growing there in the future.

Step 3

Spread a thick layer of mulch, between six and eight inches, over the Bermuda grass. This can become expensive for larger portions of land, but is ideal for clearing small patches. Remove any Bermuda grass shoots that emerge from the mulch immediately to prevent possible seeding.

Step 4

Set a lawn mower to the lowest blade setting and mow over the infested area. Spread a large, black piece of plastic over the mowed area and leave it there for two to three weeks. Remove it when the grass is withered and brittle. Remove any remaining Bermuda grass clumps by hand. This method works best during hot weather.

Step 5

Use a herbicide containing glyphosate, a chemical that is absorbed through the leaves of the plant. Apply between June and September, following the manufacturer's instructions for proper use and dosage. Wait 10 to 14 days and apply more of the herbicide to the Bermuda grass, which is usually unable to recover after two treatments.