Bermudagrass (as a weed): How to Identify and Control It
Cynodon dactylon · Perennial grass
How to identify bermudagrass
- Fine to medium blades with a ring of hairs where the blade meets the stem
- Both above-ground stolons and below-ground rhizomes
- Finger-like seed heads with 3–7 spikes
- Goes tan/dormant after frost
Why it shows up
A desirable lawn grass in the South, but a stubborn weed in cool-season lawns, gardens and beds, especially in the transition zone and warm West. It spreads quickly in sun and heat.
Where it's a problem
- Southeast (zones 7–10) — A preferred lawn grass in the South; a weed in beds and fescue lawns.
- Great Plains & Texas (zones 3–9)
- Southwest & Mountain (zones 4–10)
- West & Pacific Northwest (zones 3–10 (1–8 in Alaska)) — A persistent weed in California landscapes and irrigated areas.
Control methods
1. Cultural (prevention)
- Edge beds with deep barriers
- Keep cool-season lawns dense; don't let bermuda creep from neighboring turf
2. Mechanical
- Dig out all rhizomes and stolons; repeat
3. Organic options
- Solarize with clear plastic in midsummer (hot climates)
- Smother with heavy mulch
4. Chemical options
Herbicide safety — always follow the label. The label is the law: use only products labeled for your site, turfgrass or crop, and follow rates, timing, weather limits and protective equipment directions exactly. Keep people and pets off treated areas as directed, and check state and local rules. Active ingredients named here are examples from extension guidance, not endorsements; availability varies by state.
- In cool-season lawns, selective products such as topramezone (often with triclopyr) need several applications
- In beds, grass-selective herbicides (fluazifop, sethoxydim, clethodim) where labeled; glyphosate for renovations
When to treat bermudagrass by USDA zone
| USDA zone | Typical timing (from NOAA frost-date medians) |
|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Best: Aug 19 to Oct 7 (fall, around the first frost on Sep 23); a second option is spring after full green-up (from ~Jun 7) |
| Zone 4 | Best: Aug 26 to Oct 14 (fall, around the first frost on Sep 30); a second option is spring after full green-up (from ~May 31) |
| Zone 5 | Best: Sep 2 to Oct 21 (fall, around the first frost on Oct 7); a second option is spring after full green-up (from ~May 24) |
| Zone 6 | Best: Sep 14 to Nov 2 (fall, around the first frost on Oct 19); a second option is spring after full green-up (from ~May 17) |
| Zone 7 | Best: Sep 23 to Nov 11 (fall, around the first frost on Oct 28); a second option is spring after full green-up (from ~May 2) |
| Zone 8 | Best: Oct 6 to Nov 24 (fall, around the first frost on Nov 10); a second option is spring after full green-up (from ~Apr 14) |
| Zone 9 | Best: Oct 27 to Dec 15 (fall, around the first frost on Dec 1); a second option is spring after full green-up (from ~Mar 16) |
Zones 10–11 (frost rare): follow germination flushes after rains; pre-emergents in late summer/fall for winter weeds and late winter for summer weeds. Find your exact frost dates with the ZIP planner. Soil temperature and the product label take priority over the calendar.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get rid of bermudagrass naturally?
Start with cultural and mechanical controls: Edge beds with deep barriers; Keep cool-season lawns dense; don't let bermuda creep from neighboring turf; Dig out all rhizomes and stolons; repeat.
What does bermudagrass look like?
Fine to medium blades with a ring of hairs where the blade meets the stem; Both above-ground stolons and below-ground rhizomes; Finger-like seed heads with 3–7 spikes; Goes tan/dormant after frost.
When is the best time to treat bermudagrass?
Fall, from about a month before to two weeks after your first fall frost, is usually most effective because plants move sugars (and herbicide) down into their roots.
Where is bermudagrass a problem in the US?
Bermudagrass is common in: Southeast, Great Plains & Texas, Southwest & Mountain, West & Pacific Northwest.
Sources & further reading
- UC IPM (University of California) weed gallery: weed photo gallery
- Brosnan et al. (2013). Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) Control with Topramezone and Triclopyr. Weed Technology. doi:10.1614/wt-d-12-00119.1
- Herbicide examples are typical active ingredients named in university extension guides; products and registrations vary by state. See your state Cooperative Extension weed-control guide.
Related weeds in the same regions
Crabgrass · Dandelion · White Clover · Field Bindweed · Yellow Nutsedge · Common Chickweed · Broadleaf Plantain · Creeping Charlie (Ground Ivy) · All 27 weeds
Planning a garden? See planting calendars by state & zone.