Does your beautiful Bermuda lawn look more like a patchy, weedy battlefield? You work hard to keep that vibrant green carpet perfect, but stubborn weeds keep popping up, stealing its glory. It’s frustrating when broadleaf invaders or crabgrass turn your dream yard into an eyesore. Choosing the right weed control can feel like navigating a maze. Should you use pre-emergent? Post-emergent? What chemicals are safe for your grass?
These tough decisions often lead to wasted money on products that don’t work, or worse, accidentally damaging your precious Bermuda grass. Don’t let persistent weeds win the war for your yard! This guide cuts through the confusion. We break down the best, easiest, and most effective methods specifically designed to keep your Bermuda lawn lush and weed-free all season long.
Keep reading to learn the secrets professionals use to maintain flawless Bermuda turf, ensuring your lawn stays the envy of the neighborhood.
Top Weed Control For Bermuda Lawns Recommendations
- Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed3 weed killer plus fertilizer kills existing listed weeds and feeds to thicken your lawn and crowd out future weeds
- Weed Control and Lawn Fertilizer: controls over 50 listed lawn weeds, including clover, dandelion, plantain, morningglory, chicory, eveningprimrose, and purslane
- Weed and Feed for Lawns: Apply this combination weed control and lawn food to a wet lawn when weeds are actively growing and daytime temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 90°F; do not apply more than 2X per year
- Use on Listed Grass Types: Apply this lawn care product to Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, Bluegrass, Centipedegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass (temporary discoloration may occur on some grasses)
- Coverage: One 14.29 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed3 covers 5,000 sq. ft.; use a Scotts spreader for even, uniform coverage
- Weed killer for lawns: Kill weeds in your lawn, including dandelion, chickweed, clover, crabgrass and foxtail with the Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-to-Spray
- Fast-acting weed control: This weed control product kills listed weeds like crabgrass, dandelion, clover, chickweed and creeping charlie down to the root and gets results with 1 application
- Broadcast treatment for weeds: Won't harm lawn grasses when used as directed - use on lawn grasses including Bermudagrass, Buffalograss, Fescues, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass and Zoysiagrass
- Spray weed killer: Apply to weeds that are young and actively growing by connecting your garden hose to the sprayer, sliding the switch to "ON" and spraying evenly until the lawn is wet
- Ready to spray: This 32 oz. container of Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-to-Spray treats up to 5,000 sq. ft.
- Scotts Liquid Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control kills weeds and gives your lawn a quick boost of nitrogen to promote greening
- Liquid weed killer plus fertilizer controls dandelion, clover, ground ivy, henbit, chickweed, plantain, poison ivy, and other broadleaf weeds as listed
- Apply this ready-to-spray weed and feed when weeds are actively growing
- This lawn care product is for use on Bluegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, Bahiagrass, Common Bermudagrass, Centipedegrass, and Zoysiagrass
- One 32 fl. oz. container of Scotts Liquid Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control provides coverage of 6,000 sq. ft. for warm season lawns and 4,000 sq. ft. for cool season lawns
- Designed to prevent weeds; will not aid in eliminating existing weeds. Prevents grassy and broadleaf weeds, including crabgrass, poa annua, goosegrass, henbit, and more.
- Contains 0.48% of the active ingredient prodiamine for professional-grade weed control for early spring and fall applications
- Made with patented DG Technology (dispersible granule) ensures granules dissolve rapidly upon watering, moving weed control directly into the soil for maximum impact
- Small particles for more coverage per square inch and superior performance
- Made in the USA
- Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed5 weed killer plus fertilizer kills existing listed weeds and feeds to thicken grass and crowd out future weeds
- Weed Control and Lawn Fertilizer: controls over 50 listed lawn weeds, including clover, dandelion, plantain, morningglory, chicory, eveningprimrose, and purslane
- Weed and Feed for Lawns: Apply this combination weed control and lawn food to a wet lawn when weeds are actively growing and daytime temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 90°F; do not apply more than 2X per year
- Use on Listed Grass Types: Apply this lawn care product to Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, Bluegrass, Centipedegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass (temporary discoloration may occur on some grasses)
- Coverage: One 11.32 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed5 covers 4,000 sq. ft.; use a Scotts spreader for even, uniform coverage
- Designed to prevent weeds; will not aid in eliminating existing weeds. Prevents grassy and broadleaf weeds, including crabgrass, poa annua, goosegrass, henbit, and more.
- Contains 0.48% of the active ingredient prodiamine for professional-grade weed control for early spring and fall applications
- Made with patented DG Technology (dispersible granule) ensures granules dissolve rapidly upon watering, moving weed control directly into the soil for maximum impact
- Small particles for more coverage per square inch and superior performance
- Made in the USA
- 6 MONTH WEED CONTROL: Kills existing lawn weeds and prevents listed weeds from emerging, enjoy up to 6 months of protection with our 2-in-1 formula
- HELPFUL WEED KILLER: Kill over 200 listed weeds including dandelions and clover with our lawn weed killer
- RAPID RAINPROOF FORMULA: Rainproof protection in one hour after application
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Treats up to 9,000 square feet, suitable for expansive lawns requiring dandelion and clover weed management
- FOR YOUR LAWN: When used as directed, this lawn weed killer won't harm your grass
Your Guide to Winning the Battle Against Weeds in Your Bermuda Lawn
Bermuda grass makes a beautiful, tough lawn. But weeds try to sneak in and spoil the look. Getting rid of them takes the right tools and knowledge. This guide helps you choose the best weed control for your green carpet.
1. Key Features to Look For in Weed Control Products
When shopping for weed control, look closely at what the product promises to do.
- Targeted Control (Selective): Does the product kill only the weeds? Good products target common lawn invaders like crabgrass or clover without harming your Bermuda grass. This is very important.
- Pre-Emergent vs. Post-Emergent: Know the difference. Pre-emergents stop seeds from sprouting. Post-emergents kill weeds that are already growing. You often need both.
- Longevity: How long does the product work? Longer-lasting formulas mean fewer applications for you.
- Safety Information: Check the label for safety around pets and children once the product dries.
2. Important Materials: What’s Inside Matters
The active ingredients are the “muscle” of the weed killer. Different ingredients fight different weeds.
For **Pre-Emergent Control**, you often see ingredients like Prodiamine or Dithiopyr. These create an invisible barrier in the soil. They stop weed seeds from rooting when they sprout.
For **Post-Emergent Control**, look for chemicals like 2,4-D, Dicamba, or Quinclorac. These are designed to be absorbed by the leaves of the established weed. Always read the label to ensure these chemicals are safe for use on Bermuda grass specifically.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of your weed control success depends on more than just the bottle you buy.
Factors that Improve Quality:
- Timing: Applying pre-emergent exactly when soil temperatures are right (usually when spring flowers bloom) makes it much more effective.
- Proper Application Rate: Using too little might not work. Using too much wastes money and can stress your healthy grass. Follow the mixing and spreading instructions exactly.
- Lawn Health: A thick, healthy Bermuda lawn naturally chokes out weeds. Proper watering and fertilizing improve your control efforts.
Factors that Reduce Quality:
- Rain Before Dry Down: If heavy rain washes the product away before it dries on the soil or weed leaf, it will not work well.
- Incorrect Weeds: Using a product meant for broadleaf weeds on grassy weeds (like nutsedge) will lead to failure.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
How easy is the product to use? Good weed control should fit your lifestyle.
Granular vs. Liquid:
- Granular products are often easier for beginners. You spread them with a standard lawn spreader. They are usually less messy.
- Liquid concentrates require mixing with water in a sprayer. They often penetrate the soil or weed leaves faster but require careful measuring.
Use Cases:
If you have a very large lawn, a commercial-grade liquid concentrate might save you time and money in the long run. If you only have a few problem spots, a ready-to-spray liquid bottle offers quick spot treatment. Always consider the time of year. Spring is crucial for pre-emergents. Summer requires post-emergents for active invaders.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Bermuda Weed Control
Q: Can I use the same weed killer on all weeds?
A: No. Some products kill broad, flat weeds (like dandelions). Others target grassy weeds (like crabgrass). You must match the product to the weed type.
Q: When is the best time to apply pre-emergent?
A: Apply pre-emergent early in the spring before weed seeds germinate. A good rule of thumb is when soil temperatures consistently reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit for several days.
Q: Will weed killer hurt my Bermuda grass?
A: If you use a selective herbicide labeled safe for Bermuda grass, it should not harm your lawn when used correctly. Over-application is what usually causes damage.
Q: How soon after applying can my dog go on the lawn?
A: This changes based on the product. Generally, wait until the treated area is completely dry. This usually takes a few hours. Always check the label for exact waiting times.
Q: What should I do if weeds are already big?
A: Pre-emergent will not work on big weeds. You need a post-emergent spray to kill the weeds that are actively growing now.
Q: Do I need to water after applying granular weed killer?
A: Yes, usually. A light watering activates the chemicals in granular products so they can start working in the soil or on the weed surface.
Q: Can I fertilize and apply weed control at the same time?
A: Sometimes yes, but read the labels. Many combination products exist. If using separate products, it is often best to apply fertilizer first, then the weed control a week or two later, or vice versa, depending on the product instructions.
Q: What if I see nutsedge? Is it hard to kill?
A: Nutsedge is tough. It is a sedge, not a true weed. You need a specialized product designed specifically to target nutsedge for the best results.
Q: How often should I reapply post-emergent treatments?
A: Reapply according to the label instructions, usually when you see new weeds emerging. Spot-treating new weeds is better than blanket spraying the whole lawn repeatedly.
Q: Does mowing affect weed control effectiveness?
A: Yes. Mowing too soon after applying a post-emergent spray can remove the chemical before it is absorbed. Wait at least 24 to 48 hours after spraying before mowing.