How To Get Rid Of Bermuda Grass (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you are one of the many homeowners who have Bermuda grass in your yard, you already know how difficult it can be to get rid of. While some people actually like Bermuda grass, many of us consider it nothing more than a weed.

There are several ways to get rid of Bermuda grass. The first one, of course, is using a weed killer. They have certain types that just kill Bermuda grass. You can also try cultivation, solarization, stripping it, or you can try choking it out.

Also known as Cynodon dactylon, Bermuda grass is actually well-liked in the hotter areas of the United States. That is probably because it is so easy to grow and spreads quickly. But since it spreads through the air like a virus, it can seed itself in your neighbor’s yard as well.

Originally from Africa, Bermuda grass is very hardy and that can make it a problem for those who are trying to grow other grasses or plants in their yard. It is highly invasive and was once thought of as the perfect grass for pastures because of its easy care and popularity with cows and horses.

Because of the hardiness of Bermuda grass, even when you kill it, the story does not end there. It keeps coming back. Mainly because it has three ways to spread: below ground with rhizomes, above ground with vine-like shoots called stolons, and by seed through the air. But we have some good ways to get rid of that grass… for now.

Use mulch and landscape fabric to choke the Bermuda grass out of your lawn. Just spread the fabric over the grass and cover it with gravel, sand, or mulch. You will have to monitor this process to make sure the Bermuda grass is not growing out around your fabric though.

If you have fescue grass, you can also use it to choke out the Bermuda grass. All you have to do is mow it more often and at a higher level. Two or three inches should be sufficient. It will spread and get rid of the unwanted grass. Fescue should grow thick enough to push the Bermuda grass out of your lawn for good. As long as you keep taking care of the fescue.

It is almost impossible to keep Bermuda grass from coming back. That is because it spreads seeds through the air. So even if you get rid of the grass and the roots, the seeds are flying around from neighbor’s yards or golf courses and infecting your yard like a virus.

The best way to prevent the reemergence of Bermuda grass is to keep your lawn thick and healthy with the right type of grass. Let your lawn grow high, at least three to four inches, water it regularly, and fertilize it to keep it healthy. The healthier your lawn, the less you have to worry about those Bermuda grass seeds floating around.