How to Kill Dormant Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass serves as turf grass for lawns and ground covers. As a fairly hardy type of grass, Bermuda grass is an effective grass to use when other grasses are too expensive or unsuccessful. Due to its vigorous growth, Bermuda grass can overstep its bounds and become a weed. At that point, do what you can to kill Bermuda grass, and move on.

Things You'll Need

• Lawn mower
• Herbicide
• Rake
• Black plastic tarp

Instructions

1. Mow Bermuda grass short for easy management. Both roots and runners of Bermuda grass are capable of propagating the plant, so rake up and throw away any clippings.

2. Use a grass-specific herbicide to kill Bermuda grass. If you're eliminating an entire lawn, spread the herbicide over the whole area. If you're treating Bermuda grass as a weed in flower beds, spray the herbicide only on the grass. Always follow manufacturer directions when using chemicals like herbicides. You may need to reapply two to three times.

3. Restrict the water supply to the Bermuda grass. The grass is semi-drought resistant but will suffer from a complete lack of water during its dormancy.

4. Cover the area with black plastic tarp to reduce sun exposure to the Bermuda grass. Without sun to promote growing, the herbicide will make short work of killing Bermuda grass.

Tips & Warnings

• Bermuda grass grows dormant in the winter and will revive in spring.

• You can use weed killer like Roundup on Bermuda grass, but it will make it difficult for other plants to grow in the area.

References

• University of California: Pests in Gardens and Landscapes: Bermuda Grass
• Orchard Supply Hardware: Killing Bermuda Grass